(The date is now October 31st just a mere three days until Finn comes back home from in patient rehab. Rory and Steve decided that he would be staying at her and her fiance's place until he got back that way she could readjust to being back home. After taking care of a few errands Steve had decided to stop by Rory's second job to surprise her much as she had done the week prior for him. After parking his car he walked into the Aveda store she was working at)
"Hey, Steve. Are you looking for something specific?"-Hope
"Not really, Hope. Actually I was wondering if Rory was here?"-Steve
"Of course, let me go get her for you."-Hope
(before she completely walks away) "Please don't tell her that it is me, I'm trying to surprise her."-Steve
"Sure thing."-Hope
(a few minutes pass and he finally sees Rory walk out, who in turn sees Steve, runs up and hugs him)
"I take it someone missed me?"-Steve
"Of course I did. It sucks that we have to work so much it feels like we don't see one another anymore."-Rory
"Even though we live together which you think we would see more of one another."-Steve
"It would be the logical conclusion but we don't. Anyway, what's up? Did you get done at Beyond early today?"-Rory
"I did in fact and was wondering if you would like to grab something to eat when you are done with your shift instead of one us cooking for a change."-Steve
"I would love to do that actually."-Rory
"Why don't you close the shop early today Rory? You know you can do that since you are the manager?"-Hope
(she looks at her for a few moments) " That's an excellent point, and you have a fiance of your own to get home to don't you?"-Rory
(her coworker blushes a little bit) "Yes I do actually. So I shall see you tomorrow?"-Hope
(while her and Hope are discussing the plans for the upcoming days Steve walks around to see the improvements to the store that have occurred since she started working there)
"Actually, I am taking the tomorrow through the 8th of November off to get Finn back home, situated and sort out a few things for the wedding. Do you think that you and Robin can handle it by yourselves?"-Rory
"Certainly, you have trained us pretty thoroughly to take care of things around here. Go take care of your man and I will see you in about a week or two."-Hope
"You do the same. Also you are more than welcome to head out now I'll close up don't worry about it. Drive home safe."-Rory
"Bye, you do the same."-Hope
(she finally leaves the store and Rory starts straightening up while Steve just looked on with slight wonder and happiness)
"What are you staring at, Steve?"-Rory
"Manager, you've been promoted, are still working at Heavenly, helping out Logan & I with pretty much every photo shoot, keeping a household."-Steve
"It's not that hard to do, plus I would rather be busy then sitting at home twiddling my thumbs."-Rory
"And you couldn't be more beautiful then you are right now."-Steve
(she just looks at him, then it hits her) "You didn't? Did you just hit on me"-Rory
"I had to, I'm sorry don't be upset, please."-Steve
"I'm not upset, I am just surprised is all. Do you think that you are doing what is best for you to live at the house for the next few days?"-Rory
"Of course I did. Why don't we grab some dinner since you are done cleaning for the night then watch a good movie in honor of Halloween?"-Steve
"I like that idea let's go."-Rory
(she grabbed her purse closed up Aveda and the two of them headed to a steakhouse and enjoyed a relaxing dinner)
*At Rory's House*
(while changing into her pj's) "So, what did the rehab place say when you discussed it with them?"-Rory
"Well, they want us to wait actually to bring him home."-Steve
(stops in the middle of putting her sweater on and just looks at him with tears in her eyes, so he goes over to comfort her) "Rory, we are trying to do what is best for him and even though it is just a three day difference they think that it would help his sobriety tremendously to keep him there for the full duration."-Steve
"It's just, I miss him so much, Steve. You know how many hours I put in at both jobs and then working photo shoots for an additional four to six hours a day depending on the type of event. I want him home to help plan this wedding, I want him home to snuggle up against late at night. I miss him."-Rory
"I know that hun, I really do. It is just three more days you can do this. You have made it through twenty seven of them beautifully. Let's finish getting you into pj's, make some hot apple cider, then get underneath some warm blankets. What do you say to that?"-Steve
(sighs deeply because she already feels rather drained from her small crying episode, finishes getting dressed and heads out to the kitchen) "So how are you holding up during all of the this? You work quite a bit of hours yourself, along with Logan, then come back here and take care of chores and me as well."-Rory
"Honestly, I go on walks a bit more than I used to, before you come home in order to relax, soak a few times a week, and read. I think the strain of my other best friend being gone has finally caught up to me. I do miss him as well but it is easier not to think that way only one of us is falling apart of emotional at a time. If that makes any sense at all."-Steve
"It made perfect sense actually. But like you told me, you are rather strong and have been through out this entire situation. We can do this another three days. You know since the three of us have off tomorrow maybe you Logan and I should do something that is strictly fun."-Rory
"You thinking a trip to the mall then sight seeing around town?"-Steve
"Hell yes. We can work out the details tomorrow though for now let us indulge in apple cider and scary movies shall we."-Rory
"I like the sound of that."-Steve
(the two of them enjoy a quite evening together, truly relaxing, and enjoying the movies that they picked out)