"Gilmore! Where in the world have you been? You just decided to take a few days off…have a little holiday! You left me hanging, Gilmore…and why are you smiling? You never smile like that anymore. What are you hiding from me? You must be hiding something from me!"

"Oh, hi, Paris. I know. I know. I'm a few days behind. I'll catch up. You don't need to bother with your whole "get your head on straight" lecture."

"Well…ok then…but you still haven't told me what you're hiding. I just know you are hiding something from me."

She just smiled. Wouldn't Paris just like to know… She thought over the past couple of days. She had told Logan. Like she had thought, he admitted to having been avoiding her. He was actually seeing someone else as well and didn't know how to tell her. He was actually relieved that Rory was letting him go. She moved out of the apartment. It was Logan's in fact, and it wouldn't have been right if she stayed there. She found a really nice apartment close to school, and Jesse had been staying there with her. They haven't spent a night apart since that first night.

…………………………………

Rory came home a little late that night. She had to stay a little later at the paper to catch up for the past couple of days off. Paris would absolutely have her head if she didn't finish her article by deadline. She couldn't believe her eyes when she opened the door to her new home.

"Do you like it?"

"Well, yeah…there's furniture! Beautiful furniture."

"Our furniture, I might add."

"But how did you afford this? You didn't have to buy my apartment furniture!"

"Well…I did it just to see that smile on your face. And it wasn't actually that expensive. I must admit…I went to the thrift shop."

He didn't add that he was hoping the apartment would become their apartment.

"Come, Rory, I have made dinner."

"You made me dinner? Really? I didn't even know you could cook…"

But she was silenced when she saw the new kitchen table. There were a dozen, red roses sitting in a vase…and candles…it was all so perfect. She was speechless. The dinner looked magnificent…and one bite revealed that it was even better than originally thought. For awhile, they ate in silence…nothing needed to be said. Then, he took his hand into his and looked her straight into her eyes.

"Rory…you know I love you, right? I know we have only been together a couple of days now, but we have known each other for years. We have been connected for years. I have loved you for years. The last couple of days have just expanded my love for you. I have been apart from you for too long…I know how empty it made me feel…and I never want to feel that again. I don't want to loose you again, Rory. Ever. This may seem sudden. I might be acting in haste, but it doesn't feel that way to me. This actually seems long overdue. Please, Rory, will you marry me?"

He pulled out of his pocket a beautiful diamond ring.

"Jesse…"

"Oh…I knew I was rushing it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put that pressure on you…"

"No. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect."

Tears ran down both their cheeks this time.

"I couldn't imagine anything I have wanted more. Of course I'll marry you."