Disclaimer: I do not own the song I Will Remember You. That belongs to Sarah Mchlalan.

Chapter 17: Saying Goodbye

[Rory]

"Now, Rory Gilmore Forester, Dean's second wife, is going to give her eulogy," the priest said, stepping aside. It was the next day and the day of Dean's funeral.

Lorelai squeezed her arm as Rory went up to the podium. She took a deep breath. Try not to cry, she said to herself.

"I met Dean Forester in our sophomore year of high school," she began, smoothly. "I think most of you know that because you saw me around town with him. We were together for two years, but then we hit a huge bump in the road. I started to like someone else and I think you all know who I'm talking about. Dean also moved on, too. He met my old friend Lindsay."

Lindsay, who was sitting in the second pew looked up and shot Rory a sympathetic smile while clasping her new husband's hand.

"He married her a few months after," Rory continued. "And then a few months after, he got divorced which coincidently worked out for me."

Everyone including Lindsay had gotten the joke and laughed.

"A few months after he got divorced, we started dating again for three years," Rory continued. "And then once we were both finished with college, we were married for a year and six months. Dean was the nicest guy I had ever met. He was always devoted and committed. He was nice to practically everyone. One of the people who loved him the most was his sister, Clara. They would talk at least once a day on the phone. He was a good husband and would've been a good father."

Rory felt tears coming on once again.

"He was excited when he heard about the twins," Rory said, with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I wish he could've seen them. But, I know that he's watching over us right now and that he'll always be with us."

Rory sat down next to her mother and tried to get control of her tears. After yesterday, she didn't think she could cry anymore. But, it looked like the water works would be running for a while. After the memorial service, everyone went back to Rory's house. Rory helped herself to some of the food she had laid out for the guests.

"Hey, Rory," a voice behind her said.

Rory turned around. It was Lindsay.

"Hi," Rory said.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss," Lindsay said.

"It was your loss, too. I mean, you and Dean were married."

"But, it's more your loss than mine. Also, if you need a baby-sitter or mother's helper or a friend or shoulder to cry on, you're looking at one."

"Thanks, Lindsay."

Rory and Lindsay hugged. Maybe Dean rubbed off on her while they got married, Rory thought. When Lindsay and Dean were together, Lindsay was cold and distant towards Rory.

At 4:00 P.M., everyone left and Rory was all alone. Lorelai offered to stay, but Rory wanted to be alone.

Rory grabbed her car keys and drove to the cemetery. She found Dean's grave. The tombstone read "Dean Forester. Loving husband and son. 1986- 2008." Rory ran her fingers over the letters. She started at the empty space next to him, which was where she would be buried when she died.

Rory remembered her promise to Dean. Her children would know who their father was. She suddenly had a feeling that he was there. She could feel his presence behind her, but suddenly it faded away.

Rory walked back into her car. When she got in she stared at her engagement ring on her left finger.

FLASHBACK

"Where are we going?" Rory asked as Dean led her towards Stars Hollow High.

"You'll see," Dean replied with a mischievous grin on his face.

It was the night after Rory had graduated from Yale and Dean had taken her out to dinner. Afterwards, he told her that he had a surprise and he started leading her to Stars Hollow High. He went past the school and on to the bridge. On the bridge was a blanket with candles all around it. Rory sucked in her breath.

"Wow," Rory said.

"You want to do some star gazing?" Dean asked.

"Sure," Rory said.

Dean lay down on one side of the blanket and Rory lay down next to him. She stared out at the clear night sky, but felt something under her back.

"There's something under here," Rory said.

"Really?" Dean said, lifting up the blanket. "Why don't you check it out?"

Rory picked up the blanket and found a little black box. Dean took the box out of her hands and got down on one knee.

"Rory Gilmore, will you marry me?" he said.

Rory blinked.

"Rory?" he said. "Did you hear me?"

"Uh-huh," she replied.

"Well, aren't you going to say something?"

Rory suddenly burst into tears of joy.

"Yes!" Rory exclaimed.

"Really?"

"My answer once again is 'yes!'"

Dean cupped Rory's face and gave her a long, sweet kiss.

~~~~~~~~~END FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~

Rory felt tears rolling down her cheeks, but at the same time she smiled and stared at the ring. It was a memory that made her smile. Rory vowed never to take the ring off her finger. She drove away from the cemetery and turned on the radio.

I will remember you

Will you remember me?

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

A/N: I'm not good at eulogies (I've never had to give one knock on wood). There's an epilogue.