"Onto the next major event…" Lorelai said, as they were making conversation at lunch.
"Rehearsal Dinner, tomorrow." Dean smiled.
"I'm so excited!" Rory said, and Dean put his arm around her.
After lunch everyone returned home. Rory and Dean, had a big day tomorrow, and an even bigger one the next day, so it would have made sense if they stayed in for the night. But surprisingly, they had too much of an adrenaline rush from the graduation and upcoming excitement to spend the night in the house watching reruns. "Let's go celebrate, just the two of us." Dean suggested.
"That'd be great." Rory said.
"We have no reservations. But wait here, I'm going out and I'll be back in 10."
"Okay." Rory was intrigued at the small sense of mystery.
10 minutes later, Dean returned holding a bottle of champagne. Rory took out 2 glasses. Dean opened a bar of dark chocolate he bought for them. They enjoyed themselves, eating, drinking and talking. Dean began kissing her. "This is better than any graduation party I've been to…" Rory commented.
The next morning they slept in late and in the afternoon began getting ready for their rehearsal dinner. They were told where they would stand, and what they would say, sounds pointless, but often prevents some later humiliation. Afterwards, Sookie cooked the most marvelous dinner for at least 30. "Thank you, Sookie." Rory said, giving her a hug as the evening drew closer to an end.
"No problem, Rory. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks."
Dessert was served, and to no one's surprise it was delicious. Around 10, most people had left and Sookie, Jackson, Lorelai, Luke and Rory and Dean were cleaning up. Dean was helping Jackson clean up some broken dishes that Sookie dropped when Lorelai came to talk to Rory. "Nervous?"
"Not really."
"That's good."
"But aren't I supposed to be nervous?"
"Just wait until morning." Lorelai said only partially joking.
"Are you disappointed?"
"With what?" Lorelai asked surprised.
"I don't know."
"Dean's great, Rory. You're great. You're happy and I'm happy."
"That's good. But I mean, I love Dean and I really want to be Mrs. Rory Forrester."
"And the problem is…?" Lorelai asked.
" Are you disappointed?"
"I changed my name."
"Yeah," Rory began. "But I don't know, it's just, I still want to be a Gilmore girl."
"It's not the last name that makes us Gilmores." Lorelai smiled and gave Rory a hug.
"Well this place looks clean to me. Go home, and get a good night sleep, Luke and I can finish up the rest."
"Thanks mom." Rory said. Rory and Dean said goodbye, and went home.
They were tired, yet couldn't fall asleep. "It's tomorrow." Rory said grinning.
Dean nodded, sharing in the excitement. "We're ready." Dean said.
"Yeah." Rory agreed. There was silence for a moment.
"I love you." Dean said.
"I love you, too." Rory turned off the light and they fell asleep.