Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.

CHAPTER 12: RORY'S BIGGEST DECISION

Rory's palms were sweaty as she checked her rearview mirror.

"Come on, come on!" she muttered to the cars in front of her. "Move it!" She checked her watch again.

"Ugh, finally!" she said, pulling into the parking lot. She ran inside.

Rory scanned the list. "Oh God, they're boarding!" She started toward the escalator.

"Miss, where's your boarding pass?"

"My what? Oh, crap," Rory said. "Wait!" She reached in her purse to find the ticket and ran to e-check-in.

"Gate 27… gate 27… there!" Rory said to herself.

"Rory?" Jess said incredulously. "I never actually thought…wow, you're here!" he said, grabbing her into a big hug. When he went to kiss her, she turned her head. He ended up kissing her cheek, which was salty from tears.

"What, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Look," Rory said, putting one hand in her pocket, the other scrunching her hair. She sighed. "I won't deny that we have a spark, but it's not enough, Jess." She put her hand on her heart. "You will always be the Jess I got to love for awhile, and I'll treasure that memory always, but realistically we both know it wouldn't work." She dropped her hand and looked down.

"Are you sure, Rory?" Jess asked. "I mean, absolutely sure?"

"Yes," Rory said, sniffing. "Your future is in London," she said, gesturing to the plane. "Mine… is here."

"Final boarding call for flight 4593 to London."

Rory and Jess shared a long look. Jess turned around and walked away.

"Hey," called Rory. "Don't I even get a goodbye?"

Jess paused, then turned to look at Rory. "Goodbye, Rory," he said, sadly.

Rory watched him walk away, and stayed until the flight attendant closed the door. She wiped her eyes and headed back to her car.

Rory lifted the front of her dress as she flew up the steps of the Waldorf Astoria. She looked around until she saw the ballroom where the party was.

"Logan!" she called out. She scanned the crowd.

"Darling, where have you been?" said Finn, coming to greet her. "Let me take your wrap," he said, taking Rory's wrap and then tossing it over his shoulder.

"Hey, do you know where Logan is?" Rory asked breathlessly.

"What?" shouted Finn.

Rory spoke over the music. "Where's Logan?"

"Aren't we chatty tonight. Hmm… oh, look, there he is, love," Finn said, pointing and leading the way.

Rory grinned and tried to walk gracefully over to Logan. His back was to her, and she tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, you," he said.

"Yes," said Rory.

"What?" Logan asked, cupping his ear.

"Yes!" screamed Rory.

Logan froze in place. "Yes, as in the yes?"

Rory held up her left hand, which was now adorned with an engagement ring. "Yes!"

Logan picked her up and swung her around. He kissed her repeatedly before stepping back, a foolish grin on his face. "Hey, everybody," he shouted, getting everyone's attention. "She said yes!" The crowd cheered, and they were swarmed with congratulations.

"Let me be the first to congratulate you, mate," Finn said.

"Here here," said Colin. "Now, you know it's customary to let us kiss the bride," he said with an impish grin.

Logan narrowed his eyes. "Don't even think about it…"

THE END