It was only 6am, but Rory was already up, and unsuccessfully trying to occupy her mind with wedding plans. She had a final fitting for her dress later, she had to stop thinking about things. Maybe she should make a pro-con list, she thought, only half joking. This seemed a lot bigger than her previous Yale/Harvard dilemma. She needed a sign.

As she poured herself her fifth cup of coffee of the day, Andrew emerged, his hair ruffled from sleep.

'Morning baby girl.' He kissed her. 'Can't you sleep?'

She shook her head, hoping he would go back to bed and leave her with her thoughts. As he set about making himself a cup of tea, she realised he had no intention of this.

'I bet it's the excitement.' He guessed wrongly. Rory smiled weakly.

'Something like that.' How could she tell him what was really on her mind?

'How was dinner with the Gilmore's?' he asked, not waiting for a reply. 'I can imagine it was interesting.' He went on to tell a few anecdotes from his night with the boys. Rory wasn't listening; she merely made noises in the appropriate places.

'…and he just stood up and went to the bathroom.' Andrew laughed 'Can you believe that?'

Rory laughed 'It's pretty unbelievable.'

She decided to go take a long shower, to get some space. She felt so guilty, Andrew was being so sweet, he'd done nothing wrong, yet she just wanted to scream at him to shut up.

'Look at me Auntie Rory, I look like a Princess!' Martha twirled in her pretty gold bridesmaid dress.

'You sure do.'

April and Lane were busy straightening out their gowns. Rory smiled, she had chosen well. All those years with her mother must have paid off. She picked up two-year-old Honey who looked incredibly cute. Planting a kiss on her head, she felt suddenly broody. Remembering what Emily had said the previous night, she couldn't help shuddering. She wasn't ready for children yet.

Fortunately, there were only a few minor alterations to be done. Now, it was time to try on hers.

Lane zipped up Rory's gown and gasped as she caught her best friend's reflection.

'Wow. Rory you look amazing.'

'Oh Rory sweetie, wait until your mum sees you.' Sookie looked ready to cry.

Rory examined her own reflection. It was a stunning dress. When teamed with her pearls and tiara, she would look perfect. She smiled as she practiced her walk. She felt so right. She knew she was more than ready to be a bride, which made it even harder to place the tight feeling in her stomach. If she was having doubts about her readiness to commit, then what was she so nervous about?

'Just think in three days time you will be Mrs Rory Hamilton.' Sookie gushed.

Rory didn't even realise she was crying at first.

'What's wrong? Are you keeping Gilmore as your name?' Sookie attempted to comfort her. 'Or Gilmore-Hamilton?'

Rory shook her head.

'Hamilton-Gilmore?' Sookie suggested.

'It's all wrong.' She sobbed, unzipping her dress.

'What is honey? The dress? It's beautiful.'

'It's all wrong.' Repeated Rory.

'But, we can find you another one. Your mom could make it or…'

Rory had slipped back into her jeans and t-shirt and was making her way out of the door.

'There's something I've got to do.' She explained to Sookie, things suddenly becoming clear in her mind. 'Tell mom I'll call her.'

With that, she fled the bridal store, leaving a bewildered Sookie and Lane looking after her.

She found a coffee shop, ordered a coffee and a blueberry muffin and sat in the corner. She took a big gulp of coffee, as if seeking courage, before pulling out her cell phone.

She typed into an SMS: I need to see you. Meet me at the coffee shop opposite the library. R x

She waited a moment before pressing send. She waited for a reply, which seemed to take an eternity to arrive.

Be there in 30. x

She smiled to herself, relieved. She drank the rest of her coffee, and ordered another, but left the muffin untouched. Her stomach was fluttering too much to eat. A rarity for her. As the waiter brought her second coffee, her cell phone rang. Her heart stopped for a beat. It was Andrew. Sighing, she redirected the call to her voicemail and continued to wait.