She had made sure everything was ready, despite Logan's constant assurance that none of them would care how the apartment looked. Lane had grown up in an antique store, Lorelai didn't know the definition of clean, and Zach was Zach. The rest may have grown up with maids, but that didn't mean that everything had to be spotless or that a t-shirt couldn't be lying in the corner of the living room. All their guests were low maintenance and really didn't care about appearances. They cared about her and Logan.

Her mother and Chris were the first to arrive. She didn't understand Logan's desire for both of her parents to be there, but she enjoyed being with them. Despite their differences in the past, they were all at least on speaking terms. It was a relief to get to see them after a seemingly long time apart.

"Hey, Ror," her dad said as he walked in, hugging her before passing her off to her mom. Chris wasn't one for affection since their disagreement about him coming into her mom's life when things were getting settled, but she enjoyed the occasional affection from him.

"Hey, baby girl." She hugged her mom a little tighter. When they separated, her mom gave her a look of sadness. After Logan's accident, she talked to her mom more about the struggles they were facing. She told her mom about all her fears, about Logan's, about the changes that were happening. Her mom was beside her in all of this, knew more than anybody else. There were times she'd call her mom after Logan was asleep and tell her about her day, or about how Logan hadn't gotten sick that day. Sometimes it was to tell her that despite not being able to get out of bed, he had smiled. Occasionally it was to tell her he had made it through another night. Their conversations didn't revolve around Logan. School was brought up, as was Friday night dinners. Updates from Stars Hollow and Kirk's latest displays of weirdness were constantly brought up. Or Taylor's need for a grand festival for one reason or another.

"How you feeling, Logan?" her mom then asked, sitting on the couch across from the one Logan was sitting on. He shrugged as Rory sat next to him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. She knew he hated that question, but he also knew it was part of the territory of being sick.

"Better than yesterday, to be honest. But I know it's going to get worse in the next couple. Let's not talk about it now, though," he then said. He had been one to deter the topic away from him. At one point in their relationship, she would have questioned him about it. He was always one for attention.

"How's school, Ror," Chris then asked her. It was a generic topic, but a different one nonetheless.

"It's going good. I just can't wait until finals are here and over with. For once, I'm excited to have some time off." She knew they understood. Everything that had been going on had overloaded her. She was trying to constantly juggle school and assignments and appointments and hospital visits. Not to mention studying and essays and papers that had to get done. Then, she had to find time to eat and sleep and make sure Logan was comfortable and okay. It was exhausting.

The small talk continued as the others showed up in pairs. First was Lane and Zach who had taken an unfortunate wrong turn when following Chris and her mom, making them take an unfortunate detour. Then came the two hooligans, Colin and Finn. They'd had just enough time to warn Lane and Zach of the craziness that would accompany his best friends, but not enough to warn them of the alcohol the two would be bringing - and they did not disappoint. Paris and Doyle showed up bickering. Paris still didn't understand the need to exchange pleasantries with people she barely knew just to satisfy her and Logan. However, once entering the apartment, Paris had mellowed out significantly. It was most likely the mixture of Rory and Lorelai being there, having been a surrogate family for Paris for years. Last came Honour and Josh, profusely apologizing for their tardiness. It didn't matter to them though, because their family was here now. It may have not been by blood, or by choice, but it was theirs and it contained so much love.

The tenseness in the room slowly dissipated as they all sat around eating the take-out that had been ordered, a mixture of Thai, pizza, and Chinese to satisfy everybody's different tastes - although it was a Gilmore spread to begin with. It seemed right, all of it. She looked around the group, seeing everybody smiling and chatting - Finn drinking obviously. It felt like they'd done this a thousand times before, laughing and joking. Even for those few short hours, it seemed like everybody forgot about why they were there, about the impending tragedy. Even she did for a while.

Eventually, the talking died down and she looked at Logan who had a radiant smile on his face. He was gorgeous, and he caught her eye. A moment of true happiness.

"It means a lot to me that you all came," he finally said, addressing the room at that point. "It's nice to be able to forget for a while, to be able to just be. You all mean a lot to me, to us," he said, referring to Rory. "We wouldn't be where we are now without all of you." She saw Honour and Logan share a look. Finn and Colin looked at each other as well. It was as if in that moment, everybody was truly acknowledging each other, remembering their connections and roots and relationships. It was the moment everybody realized that although they may not have known each other long - especially given Lane and Zach having just met everybody that night - they were all connected, all a part of an odd but loving family.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Ace here." She smiled. "She's saved my ass more times than I can count. From taking care of me after Costa Rica, to putting me in my place when I fucked up so many times. Pushing me to be my best and supporting me through everything that's happened and is happening. You amaze me. Everyday, everything that you do, everything that you are. Being with you, I learned that I don't know a whole lot more than I thought I knew. What I'm trying to say is, I don't know a lot. But I know that I love you, and I want to be with you, no matter how long that may be." She looked at him, tears in her eyes. He had a way with words. The room was silent as he pulled the small box out of his pocket.

"Logan," she said softly. She could see Honour beaming, her mother holding her father's hand. Colin and Finn looked defeated to an extent, but she could see their happiness. Lane was smiling, and Paris was Paris.

"Will you marry me?" He opened the box, revealing a simple band with one set diamond. She didn't know what to think. The topic of marriage had never come up between them besides that one night - the one night they confessed their plans would be cut short. Was he proposing just because he was dying? She knew that wasn't the case, but it felt like it for a split second.

"Yes." One word that would change her life. One answer that would change everything. He smiled, kissing her softly before slipping the ring on her finger. It wasn't extravagant or a loud gesture. It was with their family, it was private and simple and perfect.

"I love you" he said again. For the first time since their conversation, for the first time in a week, she responded.

"I love you too."