*A week later.
Rory and Jess' apartment.
"Ror!" Jess' gruff voice echoes through out the apartment as he enter the bathroom where Rory is towel drying her hair.
"Yeah?" Rory's quite voice replies.
"It's 9:00, I'm leaving." Jess announces kissing Rory softly.
Rory takes his face in her hands, "Mmm." She moans. "I still can't believe you're actually going into work on a Saturday."
"Yeah well it's a staff meeting, they want to prep us on the new grading policies."
"Ha, you said prep."
Jess smiles at her, "You have fun today."
"I will." Rory replies hugging Jess, letting her hands rest on his hips.
Jess gives Rory one last kiss on the lips, "Tell Lane I said hi."
"How long is this meeting going to be?" Rory asks pretending to be exasperated, "You know Lane stays no less than 8 hours."
"Ah yes the results of Lane having free rein in New York." Jess smirks.
"..That and the fact that we're each others only real girlfriend." Rory pouts.
"I know." Jess smiles with defeat.
"So how long you going to be?"
"3 hours for the meeting and as many hours as it takes until you and Lane are done having the boxer/briefs debate and giggling over Dave's Spiderman boxers."
"Hey, we discuss your underwear too," Rory smiles blushing slightly.
"Ok, here's what I'm going to do, I'm taking my phone and I'm going call you when I'm done and you can tell me if it's safe to come home."
"I reiterate we had that conversation once, we were bored..."
"Uh huh." Jess grins at Rory as he pulls away from her. "See you later, love you."
"Bye, love you too." Rory calls to Jess as he reaches the front door, "Don't forget Dave's coming at 5, so you have to be back here by 4 and bring pie!"
"Goodbye Rory!"
*Jess exits and Rory returns to drying her hair.
*Hour later. The buzzer by the door sounds as Rory runs towards it, "Come on up!" She screams into the intercom.
*5 minutes later-Lane and Rory are stretched out on the living room floor giggling.
"So!" Rory says sitting up, "Tell me, how are things with Dave?"
Lane groans, "Don't start."
"Come on, this is obviously a big thing I mean you meet up in a music store and you go out for coffee and now I've called you six times since last week and your roommate says the same thing every time I call, "She's out with that hunky musician." Rory says mocking Michelle, Lane's ditzy roommate.
Lane sighs, "Come on Rory you know how fickle the whole Dave and me thing is I mean yeah we're back together.....this is our 3rd time getting back together."
"3rd times the charm." Rory says simply.
"What's up with you?"
"What?" "
I don't know I mean the past month you've been going all mopey and sad...justifiably remind you, but now today you're all smiles.
Rory looks casually down at the snacks in front of her, remembering that she hasn't gotten the chance to tell Lane about last weekend.
"Going home last week was just really nice, I feel...rejuvenated." Rory fibs.
Lane smiles at her friend, "Well that's good to hear."
"But I'm not letting you change the subject...So how are things with you and Dave?"
"They're good, really good."
"Yea?"
"Last week we were out walking and he kissed me..and I swear it made me weak in the knees." Lane says dreamily.
"Just like the first kiss?"
"Damn it, why does there have to be so much history between us...it makes it so much harder to hate him." Lane groans.
"Why do you want to hate him again, I forget?"
"I don't want to get hurt again." Lane admits. "And Come on remember what a jerk he is?"
"No." Rory snorts.
"Senior year, he ran out of my house like a bat out of hell after we made out on the couch and then I didn't hear from him again until freshman year in college"
"Lane your mom walked in on you two, I think he had a legitimate reason for fleeing the scene...and you didn't exactly run after him, or call him to make sure he was ok"
"Ok fine, but the second time we broke up......that was bad...."
"Yeah because you freaked out about 3 teenagers hitting on him during a gig."
"They were groupies Rory, groupies!"
"U huh, you wigged..just face it, what ever the reasons were for your 3 breakups Dave was definitely not at fault for any of them."
"Yea.."Lane sighs, "He's a really great guy isn't he?"
"Well he keeps coming back, despite the many run ins with your mom...and that alone speaks highly of him."
"Yea..." Lane trails off, "Hey Rory?"
Yea?" Rory asks taking a sip of her Snapple.
"When did you know that it was the real thing?"
"Huh?"
"With Jess, when did you know that that was it?'
"Are you saying you think Dave is it?"
"Well I haven't seriously dated anybody except for him...ever...I mean sure there was Jeremy during sophomore year but that wasn't even close to what I had with Dave."
"Wow. You're serious this time." Rory muses.
Lane takes a deep breath "I think I am, I just hope Dave feels the same way."
"You're kidding yourself if you think he doesn't...that boys been nuts about you since the first day he met you, I mean he spent an entire year playing bible hyms for your mom's bible study group."
"He got a real job, you know."
"You're kidding?"
"Apparently he was hired about a month after we broke up."
"So he's held an actual 9-5 job for over a year?"
"Yeah, he's working at this daycare center down town."
"Dave with kids?"
"Yep, apparently he plays his guitar for them, reads them stories and stuff he's even back in school trying to get a degree so he can make more money for it."
"Is giving up on being in a band?" Rory asks with shock.
Lane laughs, "I don't know he swears he's not but I have my doubts."
"I think it's cute, he can teach preschool and you'll be a music teacher."
"Yeah...hey only 15 more credits till I have my degree, that's three more classes that I can take in the spring and then that school that I did my student teaching at said they're interested in hiring me."
"Yay!" Rory claps enthusiastically.
*4:00 After the meeting Jess went to the bookstore and spent 4 hours leafing through the classic section.
As he approaches the apartment building he spots Dave pacing in front of the door.
"Hey." Jess says gruffly.
"Oh, hey!" Dave replies smiling.
Jess looks at his watch, "Aren't you like and hour early?"
"No, Lane told me four."
"Rory told me she said 5."
"Women got to love em." Dave says simply.
"Yea." Jess scuffs. "So why didn't you just hit the buzzer?"
"I did....6 times."
"Uh oh that's bad."
"I know."
"They're talking about us."
"That's never good."
"Come on." Jess says shaking his keys.
*5 minutes later. Jess and Dave enter the apartment where a melodic punk ballad is booming out from every orifice.
"Hello!" Jess attempts to yell over the music.
It's no use. Rory and Lane remain undisturbed playing air guitar to Lane's song.
Dave moves quietly behind the couch where Lane is standing and hangs his arms over her shoulders.
Lane jumps slightly, "God! Don't do that!"
"Sorry.." Dave says grinning as Lane kisses him softly.
Rory moves towards the cd player s and turn the cd off.
"So is that the new demo?" Jess asks.
"Yep, It's called 'Always Overlooked'" Lane smiles.
"It's good." Jess muses.
"Yeah well I want to rerecord the guitar part." Lane says looking at Dave.
Dave nods putting his arm around Lane's waste.
"Ok, so I'm starving what are we doing for dinner?" Rory asks.
"Oh! Let's get pizza we can go to that little place down the street its great."
"It's owned by the mob." Jess reminds her.
"Everything around here has connections." Dave says in a Tony soprano-esq voice.
*15 minutes later: The four are seated around the table eating their recently delivered pizza.
"Mmm, pepperoni." Rory sighs.
"So, Jess Rory was telling me about last weekend." Lane says starting conversation.
Jess smirks, "Oh yea?"
"Yeah she told me you guys made a Luke-man."
"Oh yea..." Jess trails off disappointed.
"Really?" Dave says with amusement, "Did you take pictures?"
Rory looks at Jess, who's face has tern hard and sad.
"Ok!" Rory exclaims, "I didn't want to say anything until Jess came back and now that we're all here I think it's time to tell you what else happened last weekend."
Jess smiles squeezing Rory's hand.
Lane gives her a confused look.
"What happened?" Dave asks.
"Well, I'm...we're, we're having a baby!"
"Oh my God!" Lane exclaims getting out of her chair!
Rory gets up and hugs her as they both start to cry.
Dave smiles at Lane's sensitivity, gives Jess and awkward smile and then shakes his hand, "Congrats man."
"Thanks." Jess replies.
*2 hours later: Lane and Dave are getting ready to leave.
"I still can't believe it!" Lane exclaims.
"I know!" Rory says with excitement.
"Girls, huh?" Dave jokes.
Jess smirks, "You know that she's going to be back here tomorrow with all the magazine and crap, right?"
"No question, I guess I'm taking the backseat...nothing can compete with a baby." Dave replies a smile creeping onto his face as Lane and Rory giggle.
"I don't man, you do have an adorable face."
"You think so?" Dave smirks.
"Damn straight."
"I don't know, I just hope things are different this time."
"Well Rory's rooting for you." Jess muses.
"Yea, and what about Jess?" Dave raises an eyebrow at his friend.
"Come on don't make me say it."
Dave gives Jess his patented lost puppy dog look.
"Damn you." Jess sighs, "Ok fine, maybe I missed hanging out with you."
Dave laughs as Jess. "I knew it, you love me," Dave teases purposely raising his voice.
"Shut up." Jess growls.
Rory comes up behind Dave and puts her arm around him, "Of course Jess loves you." Eying Lane she replies, "We all love you."
Dave turns to Lane whose face has turned pink.
"Alright, we should go." He replies reluctant to press the subject any further.
"Ok!" Rory replies pulling him into a hug.
Dave kisses her cheek, "I'm so happy for you guys, congratulations."
"Thanks." Rory replies.
"Call me tomorrow." Lane says hugging Rory.
"Okay!"
"Bye Jess." Lane says heading out the door.
"See you guys next Saturday." Jess smiles.
*Outside: In front of Dave's car (remember Dave and Lane came in diff. Cars)
"Well goodnight." Dave says quietly, giving Lane a gentle kiss.
"Good night." Lane smiles at him, giving him a quick hug before turning around and heading towards her car.
"I meant what I said you know." Dave says to her back.
Lane faces him, giving him a confused look, "What?"
"What I said I meant it."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Lane, come on who do you think you're talking about I've known you long enough to recognize when you're eavesdropping." Dave smirks at his predictable girlfriend.
Lane sighs, "Alright, but please remind me."
"I hope things are different this time." Dave says solemnly.
"Me too." Lane says breathing inwards.
"Lane, this is it for us."
"Dave, what are you saying?"
"I-if it doesn't work out this time, if you stop calling me, or you're mom gets in the way or you freak out, that's it. Good nice Dave Rygawlski can't keep 'popping' up periodically whenever Lane feels like defying her mother" Dave says coldly.
"Dave, that's not going happen...not this time..." Lane replies moving closer to him.
Dave leans in and kisses her, "I've heard that too many times before." He replies before getting into his car and driving away.
*15 minutes later: Lane pulls up in front of Dave's New York City loft and reluctantly gets out of the car and enters the lobby.
"Can I help you, maam?" The man at the desk asks.
"Oh yes, I'm here to see Mr. Rygawlski, in loft 48." Lane says quietly.
"Name please?" The man asks, his voice scratchy.
"Lane Kim."
"Oh, yea weird thing, Mr. Rygawlski came home 'bout 10 minutes ago came in wrote down a note for u and then left again."
"Oh."
"Here" The man says holding out a scrap of paper for Lane.
Lane takes the paper from the Man and steps backwards as she reads the note.
She stumbles towards the door as she crumples the paper and throws it to the ground.
The man watches as Lane runs to her car and speeds away, he stands up, walks over to where Lane left the note, picks it up and looks at it, it reads:
Lane,
I realized tonight that I can't keep doing this, I can't live my life waiting for you to let go of everything that holds you back, I know that I can't survive another break up with you, I love you; but if you're going discard me again I want no part of this relationship. If you're serious about making this work, than you're going to have to prove it. This time your words aren't enough.
Dave.
*The next afternoon: Lane is on the phone with Rory recounting last night's events.
"Wow." Rory says sadly.
"I know." Lane replies.
"So I guess it's over for good now, huh?" Rory replies fully aware of Lane's inability to defy her mother and her general fear of commitment.
"What? No..." Lane replies with insult.
"Lane, come on....I mean I know you love being with Dave and everything but you have to be fair to him, he's right you know you do tend to string him along."
I don't love being with Dave," Lane states. "I love Dave." Lane says seriously.
"Lane.."
"Rory, I don't expect you to believe me, but this time is different....do you know the first time you told me you were pregnant I cried myself to sleep that night.....I kept thinking about you and Jess and how perfect you guys were for each other and how well you complimented each other."
"And then I got depressed because I'd never had anybody like that, and then in the middle of crying, Dave called and I told him and he went off on all the times we double dated and about that ski trip we took 3 years ago....and I'd some how blocked it out of my mind how well me and Dave went together, I'd forgotten all the times he walked me home.well to the house two doors down from us and how he hid in the pushes for an hour that day waiting for my mom to leave just so he could kiss me."
"And then he started talking that time he and Jess went Christmas shopping for us together and how he knew then that you and Jess would be together for the long run."
"He said that?" Rory pipes in.
Lane ignores Rory's interruption, "And I realized then, how stupid I'd been...I mean all the things he kept telling me swearing that they were signs proving that you two were "the real deal", Rory we had those things, and I knew I knew this time had to be different."
"Wow." Rory says amazedly.
"Rory, I have to do something to prove to him that I love him."
"What are you going to do?" Rory asks.
"I don't know, but it has to be something really good...."
A/N ok, so I got some complaints about the original ending to this chapter so I've tweaked it, hope it's better I like it. R&R, please.
"Ror!" Jess' gruff voice echoes through out the apartment as he enter the bathroom where Rory is towel drying her hair.
"Yeah?" Rory's quite voice replies.
"It's 9:00, I'm leaving." Jess announces kissing Rory softly.
Rory takes his face in her hands, "Mmm." She moans. "I still can't believe you're actually going into work on a Saturday."
"Yeah well it's a staff meeting, they want to prep us on the new grading policies."
"Ha, you said prep."
Jess smiles at her, "You have fun today."
"I will." Rory replies hugging Jess, letting her hands rest on his hips.
Jess gives Rory one last kiss on the lips, "Tell Lane I said hi."
"How long is this meeting going to be?" Rory asks pretending to be exasperated, "You know Lane stays no less than 8 hours."
"Ah yes the results of Lane having free rein in New York." Jess smirks.
"..That and the fact that we're each others only real girlfriend." Rory pouts.
"I know." Jess smiles with defeat.
"So how long you going to be?"
"3 hours for the meeting and as many hours as it takes until you and Lane are done having the boxer/briefs debate and giggling over Dave's Spiderman boxers."
"Hey, we discuss your underwear too," Rory smiles blushing slightly.
"Ok, here's what I'm going to do, I'm taking my phone and I'm going call you when I'm done and you can tell me if it's safe to come home."
"I reiterate we had that conversation once, we were bored..."
"Uh huh." Jess grins at Rory as he pulls away from her. "See you later, love you."
"Bye, love you too." Rory calls to Jess as he reaches the front door, "Don't forget Dave's coming at 5, so you have to be back here by 4 and bring pie!"
"Goodbye Rory!"
*Jess exits and Rory returns to drying her hair.
*Hour later. The buzzer by the door sounds as Rory runs towards it, "Come on up!" She screams into the intercom.
*5 minutes later-Lane and Rory are stretched out on the living room floor giggling.
"So!" Rory says sitting up, "Tell me, how are things with Dave?"
Lane groans, "Don't start."
"Come on, this is obviously a big thing I mean you meet up in a music store and you go out for coffee and now I've called you six times since last week and your roommate says the same thing every time I call, "She's out with that hunky musician." Rory says mocking Michelle, Lane's ditzy roommate.
Lane sighs, "Come on Rory you know how fickle the whole Dave and me thing is I mean yeah we're back together.....this is our 3rd time getting back together."
"3rd times the charm." Rory says simply.
"What's up with you?"
"What?" "
I don't know I mean the past month you've been going all mopey and sad...justifiably remind you, but now today you're all smiles.
Rory looks casually down at the snacks in front of her, remembering that she hasn't gotten the chance to tell Lane about last weekend.
"Going home last week was just really nice, I feel...rejuvenated." Rory fibs.
Lane smiles at her friend, "Well that's good to hear."
"But I'm not letting you change the subject...So how are things with you and Dave?"
"They're good, really good."
"Yea?"
"Last week we were out walking and he kissed me..and I swear it made me weak in the knees." Lane says dreamily.
"Just like the first kiss?"
"Damn it, why does there have to be so much history between us...it makes it so much harder to hate him." Lane groans.
"Why do you want to hate him again, I forget?"
"I don't want to get hurt again." Lane admits. "And Come on remember what a jerk he is?"
"No." Rory snorts.
"Senior year, he ran out of my house like a bat out of hell after we made out on the couch and then I didn't hear from him again until freshman year in college"
"Lane your mom walked in on you two, I think he had a legitimate reason for fleeing the scene...and you didn't exactly run after him, or call him to make sure he was ok"
"Ok fine, but the second time we broke up......that was bad...."
"Yeah because you freaked out about 3 teenagers hitting on him during a gig."
"They were groupies Rory, groupies!"
"U huh, you wigged..just face it, what ever the reasons were for your 3 breakups Dave was definitely not at fault for any of them."
"Yea.."Lane sighs, "He's a really great guy isn't he?"
"Well he keeps coming back, despite the many run ins with your mom...and that alone speaks highly of him."
"Yea..." Lane trails off, "Hey Rory?"
Yea?" Rory asks taking a sip of her Snapple.
"When did you know that it was the real thing?"
"Huh?"
"With Jess, when did you know that that was it?'
"Are you saying you think Dave is it?"
"Well I haven't seriously dated anybody except for him...ever...I mean sure there was Jeremy during sophomore year but that wasn't even close to what I had with Dave."
"Wow. You're serious this time." Rory muses.
Lane takes a deep breath "I think I am, I just hope Dave feels the same way."
"You're kidding yourself if you think he doesn't...that boys been nuts about you since the first day he met you, I mean he spent an entire year playing bible hyms for your mom's bible study group."
"He got a real job, you know."
"You're kidding?"
"Apparently he was hired about a month after we broke up."
"So he's held an actual 9-5 job for over a year?"
"Yeah, he's working at this daycare center down town."
"Dave with kids?"
"Yep, apparently he plays his guitar for them, reads them stories and stuff he's even back in school trying to get a degree so he can make more money for it."
"Is giving up on being in a band?" Rory asks with shock.
Lane laughs, "I don't know he swears he's not but I have my doubts."
"I think it's cute, he can teach preschool and you'll be a music teacher."
"Yeah...hey only 15 more credits till I have my degree, that's three more classes that I can take in the spring and then that school that I did my student teaching at said they're interested in hiring me."
"Yay!" Rory claps enthusiastically.
*4:00 After the meeting Jess went to the bookstore and spent 4 hours leafing through the classic section.
As he approaches the apartment building he spots Dave pacing in front of the door.
"Hey." Jess says gruffly.
"Oh, hey!" Dave replies smiling.
Jess looks at his watch, "Aren't you like and hour early?"
"No, Lane told me four."
"Rory told me she said 5."
"Women got to love em." Dave says simply.
"Yea." Jess scuffs. "So why didn't you just hit the buzzer?"
"I did....6 times."
"Uh oh that's bad."
"I know."
"They're talking about us."
"That's never good."
"Come on." Jess says shaking his keys.
*5 minutes later. Jess and Dave enter the apartment where a melodic punk ballad is booming out from every orifice.
"Hello!" Jess attempts to yell over the music.
It's no use. Rory and Lane remain undisturbed playing air guitar to Lane's song.
Dave moves quietly behind the couch where Lane is standing and hangs his arms over her shoulders.
Lane jumps slightly, "God! Don't do that!"
"Sorry.." Dave says grinning as Lane kisses him softly.
Rory moves towards the cd player s and turn the cd off.
"So is that the new demo?" Jess asks.
"Yep, It's called 'Always Overlooked'" Lane smiles.
"It's good." Jess muses.
"Yeah well I want to rerecord the guitar part." Lane says looking at Dave.
Dave nods putting his arm around Lane's waste.
"Ok, so I'm starving what are we doing for dinner?" Rory asks.
"Oh! Let's get pizza we can go to that little place down the street its great."
"It's owned by the mob." Jess reminds her.
"Everything around here has connections." Dave says in a Tony soprano-esq voice.
*15 minutes later: The four are seated around the table eating their recently delivered pizza.
"Mmm, pepperoni." Rory sighs.
"So, Jess Rory was telling me about last weekend." Lane says starting conversation.
Jess smirks, "Oh yea?"
"Yeah she told me you guys made a Luke-man."
"Oh yea..." Jess trails off disappointed.
"Really?" Dave says with amusement, "Did you take pictures?"
Rory looks at Jess, who's face has tern hard and sad.
"Ok!" Rory exclaims, "I didn't want to say anything until Jess came back and now that we're all here I think it's time to tell you what else happened last weekend."
Jess smiles squeezing Rory's hand.
Lane gives her a confused look.
"What happened?" Dave asks.
"Well, I'm...we're, we're having a baby!"
"Oh my God!" Lane exclaims getting out of her chair!
Rory gets up and hugs her as they both start to cry.
Dave smiles at Lane's sensitivity, gives Jess and awkward smile and then shakes his hand, "Congrats man."
"Thanks." Jess replies.
*2 hours later: Lane and Dave are getting ready to leave.
"I still can't believe it!" Lane exclaims.
"I know!" Rory says with excitement.
"Girls, huh?" Dave jokes.
Jess smirks, "You know that she's going to be back here tomorrow with all the magazine and crap, right?"
"No question, I guess I'm taking the backseat...nothing can compete with a baby." Dave replies a smile creeping onto his face as Lane and Rory giggle.
"I don't man, you do have an adorable face."
"You think so?" Dave smirks.
"Damn straight."
"I don't know, I just hope things are different this time."
"Well Rory's rooting for you." Jess muses.
"Yea, and what about Jess?" Dave raises an eyebrow at his friend.
"Come on don't make me say it."
Dave gives Jess his patented lost puppy dog look.
"Damn you." Jess sighs, "Ok fine, maybe I missed hanging out with you."
Dave laughs as Jess. "I knew it, you love me," Dave teases purposely raising his voice.
"Shut up." Jess growls.
Rory comes up behind Dave and puts her arm around him, "Of course Jess loves you." Eying Lane she replies, "We all love you."
Dave turns to Lane whose face has turned pink.
"Alright, we should go." He replies reluctant to press the subject any further.
"Ok!" Rory replies pulling him into a hug.
Dave kisses her cheek, "I'm so happy for you guys, congratulations."
"Thanks." Rory replies.
"Call me tomorrow." Lane says hugging Rory.
"Okay!"
"Bye Jess." Lane says heading out the door.
"See you guys next Saturday." Jess smiles.
*Outside: In front of Dave's car (remember Dave and Lane came in diff. Cars)
"Well goodnight." Dave says quietly, giving Lane a gentle kiss.
"Good night." Lane smiles at him, giving him a quick hug before turning around and heading towards her car.
"I meant what I said you know." Dave says to her back.
Lane faces him, giving him a confused look, "What?"
"What I said I meant it."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Lane, come on who do you think you're talking about I've known you long enough to recognize when you're eavesdropping." Dave smirks at his predictable girlfriend.
Lane sighs, "Alright, but please remind me."
"I hope things are different this time." Dave says solemnly.
"Me too." Lane says breathing inwards.
"Lane, this is it for us."
"Dave, what are you saying?"
"I-if it doesn't work out this time, if you stop calling me, or you're mom gets in the way or you freak out, that's it. Good nice Dave Rygawlski can't keep 'popping' up periodically whenever Lane feels like defying her mother" Dave says coldly.
"Dave, that's not going happen...not this time..." Lane replies moving closer to him.
Dave leans in and kisses her, "I've heard that too many times before." He replies before getting into his car and driving away.
*15 minutes later: Lane pulls up in front of Dave's New York City loft and reluctantly gets out of the car and enters the lobby.
"Can I help you, maam?" The man at the desk asks.
"Oh yes, I'm here to see Mr. Rygawlski, in loft 48." Lane says quietly.
"Name please?" The man asks, his voice scratchy.
"Lane Kim."
"Oh, yea weird thing, Mr. Rygawlski came home 'bout 10 minutes ago came in wrote down a note for u and then left again."
"Oh."
"Here" The man says holding out a scrap of paper for Lane.
Lane takes the paper from the Man and steps backwards as she reads the note.
She stumbles towards the door as she crumples the paper and throws it to the ground.
The man watches as Lane runs to her car and speeds away, he stands up, walks over to where Lane left the note, picks it up and looks at it, it reads:
Lane,
I realized tonight that I can't keep doing this, I can't live my life waiting for you to let go of everything that holds you back, I know that I can't survive another break up with you, I love you; but if you're going discard me again I want no part of this relationship. If you're serious about making this work, than you're going to have to prove it. This time your words aren't enough.
Dave.
*The next afternoon: Lane is on the phone with Rory recounting last night's events.
"Wow." Rory says sadly.
"I know." Lane replies.
"So I guess it's over for good now, huh?" Rory replies fully aware of Lane's inability to defy her mother and her general fear of commitment.
"What? No..." Lane replies with insult.
"Lane, come on....I mean I know you love being with Dave and everything but you have to be fair to him, he's right you know you do tend to string him along."
I don't love being with Dave," Lane states. "I love Dave." Lane says seriously.
"Lane.."
"Rory, I don't expect you to believe me, but this time is different....do you know the first time you told me you were pregnant I cried myself to sleep that night.....I kept thinking about you and Jess and how perfect you guys were for each other and how well you complimented each other."
"And then I got depressed because I'd never had anybody like that, and then in the middle of crying, Dave called and I told him and he went off on all the times we double dated and about that ski trip we took 3 years ago....and I'd some how blocked it out of my mind how well me and Dave went together, I'd forgotten all the times he walked me home.well to the house two doors down from us and how he hid in the pushes for an hour that day waiting for my mom to leave just so he could kiss me."
"And then he started talking that time he and Jess went Christmas shopping for us together and how he knew then that you and Jess would be together for the long run."
"He said that?" Rory pipes in.
Lane ignores Rory's interruption, "And I realized then, how stupid I'd been...I mean all the things he kept telling me swearing that they were signs proving that you two were "the real deal", Rory we had those things, and I knew I knew this time had to be different."
"Wow." Rory says amazedly.
"Rory, I have to do something to prove to him that I love him."
"What are you going to do?" Rory asks.
"I don't know, but it has to be something really good...."
A/N ok, so I got some complaints about the original ending to this chapter so I've tweaked it, hope it's better I like it. R&R, please.