As we carefully approach the gazebo, I lean into Finn slightly. "Whoever the assistant was, make sure they get a bonus. They helped a lot." I whisper, looking around at the myriad of lights surrounding the square.

I feel his lips on my ears. "I noticed that myself. When do you think she's going to –

"TRAITORS!" my mother's voice shouts suddenly.

"Nevermind." He mutters.

"ABANDONERS!"

We turn towards her approaching voice, and I smile. "Hi Mom." I shrug.

"What did you just say to me? You abandon me in my time of need and all I get is 'hi Mom'? Where the hell have you been?" she shouts.

I sigh. "I told you months ago that the date you picked was the day after midterms. I told you I wouldn't be able to help you organize this week. All I wanted was the chance to further my education. I didn't even complain about you wanting me to come home every night leading up to the wedding. I was willing to drive two hours every night so that I could be here to help you with a few things." I pause to breathe.

"Then where were you? Logan and Stephanie have been answering your phones – both of your phones – all week!"

I groan. "That's because you called me six times before nine am on Monday!" I exclaim. "I told you not to call anymore that day. One little bitty thing – that was it. Just don't call anymore on Monday. When I walked out of my midterm you had called twelve more times. TWELVE!"

"So you sent me a stranger and disappeared?"

I lean back into Finn for support. "I told Luke to tell you not to call anymore or I would leave. I told Sookie that I was having Finn take me away precisely because you kept calling. Not to mention the fact that I'm back nine full hours before I planned to be back."

"You abandoned me Rory!" she shouts, and I grit my teeth.

I turn to Finn and kiss him lightly. "You'll be okay?" I ask as calmly as I can.

He grins. "I'm going to see if Luke needs anything."

"Can I do that instead?"

"You should really calm your mum down."

I nod. "See you at dinner." I mutter darkly, turning back to my mom, reaching out and grabbing her arm. "Come on."

"Where are you taking me?" she shouts as I lead her towards my car. "I have more to do!"

I plant her in front of the passenger door. "Mom, it's perfect, and you know it." I tell her, turning her to look at the whole view. "It's a Snow Fairy's Palace." I watch as the realization hits her.

"How did I miss this?" she whispers.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders. "You were so busy panicking about baskets and lights that you forgot to take a step back and look." I offer. "I know I shouldn't have just up and left mom, but eighteen calls before noon is excessive, even for you."

"I just want it to be perfect." She says softly. "I'm so afraid that if it's not perfect he'll realize he's too good for me and decide not to go through with it."

"Never gonna' happen Mom." I remind her. "I think sometimes you forget that he went to my boyfriend behind my back to make sure you got the proposal of your dreams."

"I just…I worry, you know? I've never worried like this before."

"Mom, do you remember your bachelorette party before your wedding that wasn't with Max?"

"Why are you reminding me of that the day before my wedding to Luke?"

"Because Grandma said something important that night."

"You're bringing my mother into this conversation?"

"Mom, you're nervous because it's right."

Her eyes meet mine sharply, and she takes a few deep breaths. "I'm really going to get married tomorrow, aren't I?"

"You are."

"To Luke?"

"To Luke."

Slowly, a smile creeps onto her face. "I'm still not happy that you took off."

"I know."

"I'm going to be Mrs. Luke Danes tomorrow."

"Luke is going to be my step-dad tomorrow."

She bites her lip, and starts to bounce a bit. "I'm getting married."

I feel myself bounce with her. "You're getting married!" I grin.

She pulls me into a tight hug. "Thanks kid, I needed that."

"I'm sorry I left." I whisper.

"Did he show you the house?"

I pull back quickly. "You knew about the house?"