Now, I'm saying yes
A/N: I know I only just submitted the first chapter, but it's a Sunday afternoon, it's raining and I myself wanted to find out what would happen with Rory and Ben so here you go. R and R!
Disclaimer: I only own Ben and the surrounding events. Thank Amy Sherman-Palladino for the rest.
"Okay… Not quite the reply I was hoping for." Ben remarked.
"I mean, marriage is a huge step. We don't even live together." Rory was trying her best to bring reason into his peripheral vision.
"We go to the same school. We take lots of the same classes. We've been together for a year. And I'm not asking you to marry me tomorrow. Just eventually." It was all Ben could do to stop himself from standing up and walking away from the disastrous mess he'd started. Judging by the look on Rory's face, this day would not end happily. Just then a grin spread across her face. "Well, doesn't a proposal of this kind usually require a piece of jewellery of some description?"
"Are you saying yes?" Ben asked meekly.
"No. I'm asking where's my ring?" Hands shaking slightly, Ben pulled a small box from the pocket of his coat. He opened it, to reveal a delicate gold ring, with a small topaz stone balanced neatly on the top. He pulled it from it's home of the last two months and offered it to Rory.
Rory couldn't believe what she was seeing. The most beautiful ring she'd ever laid eyes on, had been bought for her. Furthermore, she couldn't believe she was saying yes. She put her hand out, allowing him to slip the ring gently onto her finger. She stared in awe at her hand, hardly believing it was in fact her hand with an engagement ring proudly displayed on it. Before she could think much more, they were both on the their feet.
Throwing her arms around Ben's neck, Rory began to giggle uncontrollably. It was like all her Christmas's had come at once. She was marrying the man she loved. She would soon be graduating from Yale University. Life didn't get much better than this.
Ben gently pulled away. "Since we're on the topic. Will you move in with me? And before you say no, let me try and talk you into it. My place is a five minute drive from Yale. It'll save you paying to live on campus. It'll be just you an me. Rent free, because my parents bought the place years ago for Samuel, but he moved to New Zealand, so they gave it to me…" Rory took the opportunity to interrupt him.
"Ben, I can't. And it's not because I don't want to. It's because living with you would be too much of a distraction. And with finals coming up and graduation, I need to focus on finishing school first. And you should too. But I'll move in during the summer. I promise." Rory compromised.
"Actually, I think you're right. I was being impulsive and graduating is definitely important, so yes, during the summer is perfect." Ben eased Rory's guilt and they abandoned their lunch date in order to tell everyone their good news.