Author's Note: If you read chapter eight of this story anytime before April 19th, please, please, PLEASE go back and read it again, because it is completely and totally different. I replaced the first chapter eight with this completely different version because I just hated the old one so much. Thank you to all of you who reviewed the first chapter eight even though it was awful, because you didn't flame me and I really appreciated that. This is Lorelai's POV and I know it is rather short, but it's kind of a transition chapter. Oh, and one note: For the purpose of this story, Christopher broke up with Sherry a while back and had been dating a woman named Kirsten for about six months.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to Gilmore Girls or anyone/anything associated with it. If I were to own the show, Lorelai and Luke would have gotten together a very, VERY long time ago… but we won't go there…

~*~

Rory and I trudged into the house after her party. It had been a strange day for me. I had something to tell Rory. Something had happened at her party and I wasn't sure how she was going to react to it.

Rory looked at me in a weird way. "What's wrong Mom?"

I frowned. "Yeah… I have something to tell you babe."

Rory's face grew full of concern. "Are you ok?"

I sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to me. Rory sat down but didn't lose the look of complete concern on her face. "You saw me dancing with your dad tonight, right?" Rory just nodded, confused. "Rory, your dad didn't want to say anything to you because he knows you've got other things to worry about and he was concerned you'd be upset for some strange reason, but he broke up with Kirsten."

Rory broke out into a smile. "Thank God!"

I smiled, too. "I know." Then my face grew serious. "But that's not it." Rory frowned. "He broke up with Kirsten for… well, basically for me." I cringed, waiting for a response.

Rory's eyes got wide. "Wow… I mean… just wow. So you two are dating now?"

I looked down. "See that's the part I need to talk to you about." I looked back into her eyes. "We danced and had a good time together. But then he told me and I was taken by complete surprise. And then he kissed me."

Rory was sitting in shock. "He kissed you?!"

I blushed. "Yeah… and years ago I would have been happy. I would have been really happy. But I meant what I said to him when I told him I was over him. I am. I just really didn't feel anything. I used to get butterflies in my stomach when he would kiss me… when I was in love with him. But I'm not anymore. I can't help it. I told him that it was too late for us. I've grown up and moved on and I've changed. And so has he. I just… it wouldn't work out between us and I don't think it ever will. I needed to tell you that. I mean, I don't want you to be upset…" I was going to continue, but Rory nearly jumped on me with a huge hug.

"It's ok. I understand." Rory smiled.

I smiled, too. "Really?! You're not disappointed in me?"

Rory rolled her eyes. "Of course not."

"Really?"

Rory's face grew serious. "Mom, I've gotten over the idea of you and Dad by now. It's just not going to happen and I understand. It's for the best, too. I mean, I see Dad more than I used to now, and we've always been great by ourselves. I'm glad that you've moved on, too. There are other guys, one in particular is right in front of your face."

I frowned. "You're talking about Luke, aren't you?"

Rory's eyes grew devilish. "Did I say Luke? NO! I'm just saying that there is someone right in front of you who loves you and I know you love him too. You just don't want to admit it. I think that he's part of the reason you are over Dad."

"Ok, I'm going to let your getting involved with my love life slide just this once because you are leaving tomorrow and we haven't even started the movie yet, but no more, ok?" I was being serious, and she knew it. Rory nodded. "Good. Now then, I'll start the coffee and grab the junk food and you pick the movie and rewind it because we probably forgot to the last time we watched it."

Rory saluted. "Yes ma'am."

Our night went as planned, we stuffed ourselves silly and watched the movie and talked through most of it. I couldn't help being sad though. The reality of Rory leaving was definitely sinking in and I hated it.

It was around two in the morning and I was lying in bed when Rory crept in and lay down next to me. I rolled over to face her. "I couldn't sleep either." Then I noticed her tear stained face.

"I don't want to leave, Mom." She was sobbing uncontrollably.

I wrapped my arms around her. "If I really believed that was the truth and that you would be better off staying here, I'd let you stay in a heartbeat. But this is your dream. I'm not letting you throw it away, even if I want you to stay." She just continued sobbing. "It's only four years. Then you can come back here and everything will be the same."

But that was the part that was killing us. Would anything ever really be the same again? We didn't know. Change is probably one of the hardest things in the world. But it can also be one of the best.

I started crying too. We lay there until we fell asleep, sobbing and clutching each other.

~*~

Well, it's really short, but it made me cry. haha The last chapter made me cry too. And the next chapter will be the worst. This story is killing me! lol Just kidding. I hope you like this. Please let me know of any suggestions you have for Rory's good byes. I'm definitely willing to hear them. Oh, and see that lovely blue button down there? Pleeeeeeease click it and review! hehe Thanks a bunch guys!