Luke looked at the red velvet box on his hands. Lorelai was in the bathroom getting ready. Luke laid on the bed, just looking at the box. He remembered when he found it, hidden behind his safe, just a few weeks after he and Lorelai had started dating. He thought it would look perfect on Lorelai's finger. So he kept it with him. Knowing that he might need it someday. But then they broke up. And Luke put it back in the safe, he didn't even think about the ring after the unfortunate event. That is until Rory found it.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Rory for the thousandth time already. They are upstairs, in Luke's apartment. Luke cooking something amazing for their dinner. Rory had a job interview the next day and wanted a pair of pearl earrings that would go perfect with her outfit. Luke remembered a jewelry set that belonged to his mother, hidden somewhere in his safe and told Rory that if she finds something in there that would match her outfit, she could use it. Rory was grateful, but still felt a little uncomfortable about borrowing Luke's mother's jewelry. She knew how much his parents means to him.

"Yes."

"Cause you know. I don't have to borrow them. I could just find something else to go with the outfit. Or I don't have to have the earrings at all."

"Rory. You said so yourself, that with pearl earrings, your outfit would look complete. And the first impression is an important thing. And if you walk in there, all prepared, and looking gorgeous, not that you already don't, then you're gonna woo them away."

"But dad. If you feel uncomfortable about me wearing them. I mean they are your mother's…"

"Rory. Those earrings would look lovely on you." he says softly, looking at Rory, smiling.

"Thanks dad." Rory blushed. "it's in the safe, right?"

"Yeah. You know the combination."

"Yeah." Rory kneeled in front of the safe. Luke had given her the combination way before he and Lorelai had started dating. He was gonna give it to Jess, but figured Rory was more responsible. After a few seconds of twisting and turning, the safe opened. Rory looked in the back and saw a jewelry box. It had the initials, LD. Lauren Danes. Rory thought that it could also mean Lorelai Danes. She smiled sadly at the thought of her mother. Where could she be? She took the jewelry box out but her eye caught something else. There she saw it, a small, red, velvet box. She took it out and examined it. Then she opened it and saw the most beautiful engagement ring ever. Rory gasped. It was really beautiful. Rory couldn't believe that her father had this. Why does he have it? He wasn't gonna… but her thoughts were interrupted by Luke.

"Did you find it?" he asked, walking behind her. Then he saw the object Rory was holding. "Oh."

"I just saw it and…it's really beautiful."

"Thanks." he said, snatching it away from her.

"Is it yours?"

"It's my mother's"

"Oh. You kept it also?"

"Yeah."

Rory could sense that her dad didn't want to talk about it. "Thanks for the jewelry."

"You're welcome. Food's ready." they sat at the table and started eating in silence.

"So were you gonna…" started Rory.

Luke sighed. "I was. If things went well and when the time was right."

Rory smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah. But I guess things didn't go so well after all."

"Dad you know that's not true. You and mom still have a chance together. When we find her. You guys will have your chance."

"Rory. I don't know if your mom would ever take me back. I was such a jerk to her."

"Well what did happen?"

"Nothing. I was a jerk. She left."

"But dad-"

"Rory, I love your mom, you know that. But if I would to propose to her, I want it to be special."

"Dad. Even if you propose to her in the middle of the night, or when you wake up, even if you're stranded in an island, she would still say yes. She loves you."

"Well, I guess we'll never know until we find your mom."

"It really is a pretty ring."

"Yeah. When my mother died, my dad held on to it. Then before my dad died, he gave it to me, and told me to give it to the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life it. The woman I could never live without. And immediately, when I found it, I wanted to give it to your mom."

"And I would know for a fact mom will want it."

"Yeah. You know when I found it I always carried it around with me. I always put it in my pocket. I'd never let it out of my grasp. But when your mom and I broke up, I put it back in the safe."

"Are you gonna keep it in the safe still?"

Luke looked at Rory. He smiled. "Why don't you keep it with you?"

"Really? Why?"

"Well, I don't want to keep it in the safe. And in your hands, I know it'll be treasured. And, when your mom gets back, you give it to me, and I'll find the moment to propose."

Rory grinned. "Ok."

Luke gave it to Rory to hold cause he didn't want to store it in the safe. But he also didn't want to hold it with him cause it would bring too much memories. He promised himself and to Rory that when Lorelai is back, and when Rory gives her the ring, he would propose. And now that that moment is here, he doesn't know if he should. He's scared. What if she'll say no. A little voice in his head, which sounded like Rory, said no way! Luke smirked. He opened the box and admired the ring. It really is beautiful. And would perfectly fit well with Lorelai. Luke sighed and put away the ring.

Just as the ring was hidden, Lorelai came back. "I am now completely refreshed. And ready to go to bed." she smiled, laying next to Luke. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. You smell good."

"It's PowerPuff Girls. Bubbles." Luke rolled his eyes and kissed her. "And now the shower is completely useless." she joked as he laid on top of her, kissing her.

"I love you."

"I love you too.

Luke woke up with sun blaring through the windows. He squinted his eyes open. He thought it was weird that Rory didn't come up to their bedroom and jumped on the bed. He looked at the clock at his side table, it said 9:00 AM. Rory said she'd have to leave at eight. Where is she? Before Luke could get up he saw a not next to the clock.

Mom, Dad,

Didn't want to wake you guys up. You just looked so comfy. I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. Call me kay?

Rory

Luke smiled. He looked over at Lorelai who was sleeping very peacefully. He loved waking up next ti this woman. This was really the first time, ever since she came back, that he has ever admired Lorelai while she's sleeping. He's always too tired to admired her at night after they have passionate love making. And Rory always wakes them up before he can admire her. It may seem a bit creepy that he stares at her, but he can't help it. He loves how she looked when she's sleeping. So peaceful and so, beautiful. It's the only time in the day that she's not talking. And he liked that. He missed her so much. He didn't know how he could of survived without her. Granted Rory as there to help him cope. But he needed her there. And now he's happy she's here.

Luke knew what he had to do. He wanted this. He's always wanted this. And he sure as hell isn't gonna let this get away this time. He was just so happy that he wanted to tell Rory so badly. He couldn't wait. He successfully got out of bed without waking Lorelai up and then went downstairs.

Rory was happy. She just finished up her call from her father. She couldn't stop smiling. He knew her father would do it. No doubt he would. He loved her mom so much. After explaining to Paris and Doyle for her weird squealing and smiling, Rory got ready to go to her class. Marty should be at the apartment any moment to walk with her. Her mom and dad's words still in her head about her and Marty.

When she first introduced Marty to Luke, Luke was really nice and kind. Unlike he was to all of her other boyfriends. But Marty wasn't her boyfriend, probably why Luke was nice to him. Although, Luke would always comment that Marty had a thing for her. And that she has one for him too. She just shrugged it off.

Just as Rory got the last of her things, there was a knock at the door. She quickly packed up the her things and rushed to the door. She couldn't wait to tell Marty the good news. When she opened the door, her smile faded.

"What are you doing here?"

A/N: dun-dun-dun! Oohh! I wonder who it could be. Do you have any idea. I do. Well, of course I do. I'm writing this. But I will neither confirm nor deny any of your guesses. I just love to keep you guys in suspense. But don't worry, I'm not that cruel. I'll probably update in a few days or so. Review please.

A/N 2: speaking of reviews, thanks for the reviews you sent me. They are spectacular.