"Go ahead, Rory." Lorelai encouraged. "Open the gift."

Rory slowly lifted the gift onto her lap. Softly shew ripped the paper to reveal a new cd player.

"Wow... Matthew." Lorelai smiled. "That's a really nice gift."

"I caught it on sale." Matthew replied. "I figured Rory would like it. I hope you like your's as well." Matt handed Lorelai a small box. Lorelai opened it, and her eyes became as wide as the oceans, as they beheld the beautiful diamond ring. "I don't want you to answer me right now, Lorelai." Matthew began. "But that engagement ring represents all the love I have in my heart for you... and for Rory. You've both proven to me, that you don't need a man and that you can function perfectly well without one. I know this to be true. I however, can't function without you. I love you, Lorelai, and I love Rory as well, I want to be the husband and the father that you both deserve. Promise me you'll at least think about it." Matt sat silent, waiting for Lorelai's reaction.

Rory's heart had dropped to her stomach. She watched her mother carefully trying to decipher the emotions she was feeling. She couldn't say yes... she wouldn't. Lorelai took the ring out of the box. "I'll think about it." Lorelai smiled.

Matt's face lit up with excitement as he leaned in and kissed Lorelai. He quickly turned his attention to Rory. "What about you kiddo? Will you think about it as well?" Matt looked Rory directly in the eye, and sent chills down her spine.

"Yeah." Rory whispered after a long pause.

(The ride home)

"I'm going to have to get gas." Matt randomly stated looking at the fuel gage. He pulled over at the next gas station. "Do you ladies need anything?" Lorelai answered no, and Rory only sat silently. Matthew got out of the truck and began to pump the gas.

"Hey..."Lorelai started. "Why so blue?"

Rory only shook her head and looked away.

"Rory?" Lorelai asked more concerned.

"I don't want you to marry him." Rory replied as tears whelmed in her eyes.

"How come?" Lorelai asked a bit shocked and hurt.

"I just don't." Rory pouted.

"Sweetie..." Lorelai put her arms around Rory. "He's not trying to take the place of your father. All those things he said earlier, he's just trying to show how much he cares."

"No..." Rory's voice cracked.

The door opened and Matthew quickly jumped back into the truck. He immediately noticed Rory's face, and could tell she had been crying. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"It's nothing Matt." Lorelai replied. "She's just sick to her stomach this morning." Lorelai held Rory closer to her hoping to subside her crying.

"Is that why you've been so quiet?" Matt asked slyly. "Do you want something from the gas station?"

"No thank you. I'm fine." Rory murmured.

Matthew smiled. "Okay." he turned the key and drove off to Stars Hollow.

(The Gilmore House)

"Good bye, Lorelai." Matthew whispered into her ear as he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "I love you."

"Bye Matt." Lorelai beamed as she watched him walk down the steps and off the porch. She stood for a moment gazing at his truck, until it had driven completely out of sight, suddenly she remembered Rory. She walked back inside the house, and found her laying silently on her bed. She walked in and sat down beside her.

"We need to talk to Rory." Lorelai began. Rory said nothing. "I'm really confused about your feelings towards Matt. One day you like him the next day you don't, then you do... and now we're back to don't. Doesn't that seem a little wishy washy to you?" Rory only shrugged her shoulders. "I honestly think he's a good guy. I didn't know what to say when he asked me to marry him today." Lorelai paused. "I want to Rory, but I'm not going to give him an answer until I hear why you don't want me to."

Rory sat up from her bed. "I don't think he is, who he acts like he is." Rory replied confusingly.

"A little more explanation please?" Lorelai asked.

"How do you know he's so great? How do you know he's honest, and trustworthy, and sincere?"

"I can feel it." Lorelai quickly answered. "When he kisses me, holds me, looks at me. I've known Matt for a long time, and he's always been that way. He makes every bad situation seem not so bad..." Lorelai laughed a little. "He makes me feel safe, like whatever happens I can just turn to him, and he'll help me get through it. He's a true companion."

Rory sat back in awe. How could someone who made Lorelai feel all those wonderful things, be such a horrible person? She could see how desperately her mother wished for her approval. Rory thought back to the previous night. Perhaps it was just a silly mistake, he probably didn't mean anything by it. He may not have been thinking straight. Rory was becoming more and more confused about the entire situation.

"So, he is the one?" Rory finally asked.

"I think he could be." Lorelai smiled.

Rory placed aside her own feelings, as long as Matthew was good to her mother, that was all that mattered. After all, she would be leaving for college in a couple of years anyway. "Then how can I not approve?" Rory smiled.