Rory looked at Tristan, and he stared back into her eyes, willing her to say something more. She swallowed once, twice, breathing in and out, trying to get her voice to work. Slowly she turned towards him, and pushed the hospital covers to her side, offering Tristan the right side of the bed.

Wordlessly, Tristan removed his shoes, never breaking eye contact, and climbed into the hospital bed. He wrapped his arms around Rory, and she moved to close the space between them. Gently, she moved her hand up and stroked his cheek, staring into his blue eyes. Rory slowly moved forward, and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I love you," she whispered. Then she settled in his arms and slipped off to sleep.

For a long while, Tristan lay there, stroking Rory's hair, cradling her in his arms. Then, soothed by her rhythmic breathing, he shut his eyes and slept.

Rory sighed and shifted, burrowing herself deeper in the warmth that enveloped her, desperately trying to stay asleep but feeling herself awaken. She slowly opened her eyes and saw that she was burrowing into a person. Into Tristan. Into a very awake Tristan.

"Hey," he said to her.

"Hey," Rory replied, blushing.

Tristan leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Rory, I'm going to go find a doctor," he told her.

"Ok," she replied, lying back down on her back, taking the place Tristan had been laying down in. Once he had left the room, Rory breathed in deeply, taking in the scent and warmth that was so uniquely Tristan. She smiled, content, and so in love.

In love. She was in love with Tristan. Rory smiled again.

.It certainly took long enough for her to figure it out.

And from outside her hospital room, Lorelei watched her daughter realize what she had already known for a long time.
***A/N: I'm SO sorry this is taking forever. I have terrible writer's block. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks for all the support I've had so far.***