Chapter 18

It has been weeks since Rory's welcome home party and things are almost like before. She gain back some of the weight she lost and there's colour in her cheeks again. She wants to go back to school again, but Dr. Thomas, Lorelai nor I will allow it. She needs to take it easy. My studies have been going well. I've picked my grades back up and exams are just around the corner.

"Honey, I'm home!" She was sitting on the couch reading. Typical

"Oh, it's you." Not even looking up from her book she continued, "And here I thought that my dream guy... more specifically Ashley Angel... had finally found me."

"Who's Ashley Angel?" Who was that guy? I mean, he sounded familiar. Was he someone I knew? That she knew from class? She shut her book and looked up at me.

"OK, if I tell you this, you have to promise me you won't ever bring it up... ever! Promise?"

"Promise."

"Alright, a couple of years ago, Lane went through the whole boy band stage-"

"Lane! Boy bands!"

"Yes, now shush!" She paused, as if waiting to see if I was going to respond. When I didn't, she continued. "Anyways, there was this one band called O-Town. It was your typical band with 5 guys. One of the guys was really hot and-"

"OK! Boyfriend standing right here-"

"Hey! You wanted to know, so be quiet! Back to my story, there was this guy named Ashley Angel. He's a major hottie! The blonde spikes, blue eyes, 6- pack... the works."

"So basically he was another version of me." I stated.

"Nope! He was WAY hotter than you!"

"OK! Now I'm hurt! Really hurt!" I pouted.

"No you're not. Anyways so we were watching "Making the Band," it's the show that O-Town's on. A camera follows them around 24/7. Lane pointed Ashley out to me and has been my dream guy ever since!"

The look on his face was priceless! He looked like a little lost puppy after I told him that Ashley Angel was my dream guy. The truth was, he was EXTREMELY hot! But he wasn't my dream guy. I already had him. He was standing right in front of me looking defeated.

"Oh," was all he managed to get out. He cast his eyes to the ground.

"Tristan." he looked up at me.

"I'm just joking! I've already met my dream guy."

"Oh, you've met him already. Where? At some concert?"

"What? Of course not. I'm talking about the guy who's been there for me through thick and thin. The guy who wouldn't give up on me when I already had."

"So... who's the guy?"

How dumb can he be? He's not dumb! Just very insecure. Tristan DuGrey insecure? Yes! He's so cute.

I got up from the couch and wrapped my arms around his neck. I reached up and kissed him.

"You silly!" I kissed him again. I was actually getting giddy.

"Oh really? Hmm... I think I'm just going to have to take advantage of that."

"And what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to... make you dinner!"

"But you've made dinner everyday this week! And how is that taking advantage of the situation?"

"You just go and take a bath while I cook."

"OK fine." I left his arms and went to the bathroom. I hope I'm always this happy.

2 Weeks Later

Rory and I have been dating for almost 2 years now. It's actually been 20 months... but who's counting? We've been through so much and I think that we're ready. I'm not going to chicken out again, like I did a couple of months ago. I've been planning this night for almost a month now. Tonight is our 20 month anniversary. Tonight will be the night I'm going to ask her. I hope she says yes

20 months. They've been great, despite the whole cancer thing. I reach up to take hold of my locket. It was just a normal reflex that I had now. Whenever I thought about us, I would reach for the locket he gave me. The piece of jewelry I never took off, well except for when I was in the shower. It was about 6 when I finally finished getting dressed. I had on a black dress that stopped just above my knees. It had a square neckline that didn't make it too revealing and spaghetti straps that criss- crossed in the back. I had just finished my hair when I heard Tristan knock on the door.

"Are you ready yet?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute." I took one last glance in the mirror to make sure that everything was where it was supposed to be and walked out.

"Wow. You look great!"

"Thanks." I said shyly. He couldn't possibly think I look great.