"Knock knock."

Lorelai entered the room with a cup of coffee.

"Well this isn't a bad wake up call," Rory responded, sitting up and taking the cup.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Good, and bad, if that makes any sense."

"Does to me, but that's not saying much."

"Have you heard anything from grandma?"

"Not since last night. She might just need to do her own thing."

Rory nodded, sipping her coffee more.

"Speaking of which, are you needing to head back to New York?"

She hesitated. She had only thought of getting home, and not beyond that.

"I think I'll stay for a bit. I can manage doing a lot of it from here for now."

"Are you sure?"

Never more sure. "Absolutely."

"Well if you insist," Lorelai said, cracking a smile. "Breakfast at Luke's?"

"Sounds perfect."

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"I swear to God Kirk if you pull out one more penny," Luke yelled behind the counter.

"I told you I had to borrow money from mother, and she would only give me the loose change she wanted to get rid of."

"You have got to be kidding me," Luke replied as a line formed up to the counter.

"Damn, now I lost count," Kirk said with a furrowed brow.

Rory smiled to herself, looking across the table to Lorelai. Like no time had passed at all.

"Feeling that small town charm?" she asked.

"Something like that."

Luke walked over with their plates, setting them on the table.

"Wow, this is a lot, even for us," Rory observed.

"It's the comfort special," Luke said, winking at Lorelai.

"My genius combination," Lorelai exclaimed.

"Why am I not surprised," Rory replied.

"Because I'm a genius, obviously. Thanks hun."

"You got it," Luke replied, going back to deal with the crowd at the counter.

"Gee mom, if I didn't know better I would think this was you pregnant all over again."

"Don't kid, kid," Lorelai replied, taking a bite.

"Not in the cards?"

"Are you kidding? I feel like I'm still recovering from birthing those rugrats."

Rory laughed, thinking back to the day.

Luke had called to let her know it was happening, and could barely get the words out, he was so panicked. Rory had rushed into town with plenty of time, as the labor was a long one. She got there to find Sookie coaching Lorelai, Luke hovering behind her. But when the twins were finally born, he melted. She'd never seen him so happy. Her mom was so tired, but at least there were no ice chips thrown. Everyone lost it when they announced the boy's names, with Luke deciding to pay homage to his father with one boy's middle name, Lorelai to Richard with the other's. It was moments like this, when everyone was together for something so great, that she cherished.

"So what's on the agenda today? I can play hooky from the inn if you want..."

"That's okay. I thought I'd get a good book, read in the square, catch up with the town."

"Yeah, there's a lot to catch up on. Like you know, Taylor picked out socks that didn't match at the last town meeting. It was a riot."

"Sounds juicy."

"Oh it is. But I'll let you discover that for yourself," Lorelai said with a smile.

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Rory finished her time in town with a stop to Doose's. In her haze to come home she needed to pick up some essentials.

As she looked around, she noticed the newspaper, and she thought of grandpa. The daily news he was missing.

As she browsed the aisle, she thought of grandma. If only comfort food could cure all sadness. Something that can't be bought.

"Rory, is that you?"

Lost in her thoughts, she turned to find Dean behind her. She smiled, awkwardly, shocked.

"Dean, hey."

"Hey! What are you doing around here?' He must not have heard.

"Um, actually, my grandpa died."

His face fell. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

"Thanks." He reached out and lightly touched her shoulder.

"He was quite the man. Gave me a run for my money."

"That he, was. What about you, what are you up to?"

"I'm just in town visiting my parents. You know grandparents, can't get enough of the new baby."

Rory faked a smile. Information overload. "Right, I had heard you got married a few years ago. Congratulations, a little late."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"Where are you living now?"

"About an hour out of town. It's closer to her family."

"That's great."

"And it has a college, which made it pretty convenient for me to get to classes."

Rory's eyes lit up. "Really? Dean, that is so great."

He laughed at her sudden enthusiasm. "Yeah, I came back around to it. Had to start somewhere, picking up the pieces."

Rory looked down, "Right."

"But I feel like I should thank you too."

"For what?" That seemed ironic considering how much of a mess they had made together.

"The things you told me in high school, about what I could do. I never forgot."

Rory chuckled. "I meant them. I'm so glad to hear how good you're doing."

"I hear you're not so shabby yourself, miss New York Times."

"Yeah, I get by. Now that I'm there, as great as it is, it's different than I pictured too. I guess I'm always the daydreamer."

"Hey, never change."

Rory grinned. "You either. You're a great guy Dean, I'm so glad life is treating you well."

"It is. Almost as well as this very aisle. Do you remember?"

Rory rolled her eyes. "Of course I remember."

He leaned in and they embraced. As they looked around, she noticed a few people had stopped to watch.

"Okay well, I'll see ya," he said with a smile, backing away.

"Yeah, bye," Rory said, watching him go. The deja vu was real.

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As Rory walked home her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to find Lorelai had resent her a picture of her and Dean at the store. This town was out of control.

"This is the greeting I get?" came a voice from in front of her.

She jerked her head up.

In her yard stood Jim. "Surprise." Too many surprises today.

She walked towards him with a confused smile. "Hey."

"Hey, happy to see me?"

"Surprised," Rory said as she shook her head. "And happy."

"Come here," he said, reaching his arms out. She fell into them. She had missed his touch.

"What are you doing here?"

"After you left, I felt like I was doing something wrong. I just...wanted to be here for you."

She smiled and kissed him lightly.

"Is it okay that I'm here?"

Rory hesitated. "Sure."

"So, where do we start?"

"Are you sure you're ready for all this? My family, my friends...this whole town?"

"I don't know, shouldn't I be?"

"I'm not going to lie, you should be a little scared. Speaking of which, let's get you inside," she said, taking his hand and leading him to the house.