It Was Never Really Goodbye - Gilmore Girls

Chapter 18

"Logan? Where am I?"

He looked up at her, the concern showing plain as day, "my childhood bedroom. How are you feeling?"

"Tired...my head hurts...I feel like I cried for hours. How did I get here? Did you carry me up?"

"No, dad did. From what I know, it wasn't hours, but it was a long time. Mom held you until you cried yourself to sleep, then dad carried you up here. They called me once you were settled in."

She felt the tears well up in her eyes. She would have never expected Mitchum and Shira to be so kind.

Logan must have seen the tears, because he was by her side in a flash with his arms around her. "Hey, hey, hey, what's the deal? Freaked out that my dad carried you or that you cried yourself to sleep in my mom's arms?"

"Why are they doing this? Why are you?"

She felt him take a deep breath and his body tensed. "Rory, do I look like I'm a glutton for punishment?"

She shook her head.

"So do you believe that the only reason I am being so patient is because I love you that much?"

She nodded.

"And you are desperately trying to work on yourself because you also love me that much?"

"Of course I do!"

"So then what are we doing?"

She looked at him confused, "what do you mean?"

"I said I needed you to fight like hell when you were ready to be together, but we both know that even once we're together we're still gonna have to fight like hell, right?"

"Yes."

"So why not fight like hell together?"

"What are you saying?" She could feel her heart speeding up and hope building for the first time in a very long time.

He slid off the bed, pulled something out of his pocket, and got down on what looked suspiciously like one knee, "Ace, if you promise to fight for me every day from here on out, then I promise I will fight for you, too. I already know that I will never stop loving you. I will give you as much time as you need as long as we are together with this common goal in mind. Rory Gilmore, will you be my wife and partner in life?"

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He watched Rory's face show all of the emotions that were running through her. He knew it would be a bit of a surprise, but he felt that this was the right step. They were already committed to each other. When his parents had called and told him she was there, he realized just how serious she was. He had hoped she was before, but going to Mitchum and Shira to talk was a whole other level of serious.

He decided that it was time to lay his cards out on the table for her. Yes, things were messy, but he wanted to marry her all those years ago and he still wanted to marry her now. As long as they both agreed to work at it for the rest of their lives, there was no reason to wait.

He had arrived at the house and talked to his parents. He told them how he felt, and they had been extremely supportive. So supportive, in fact, that they had given him his grandmother's ring. He hadn't even thought to ask the first time around, let alone hope that they would be supportive enough to give it. Armed with the ring and a speech that kept rolling around in his head, he went to his room to watch her and wait until she woke.

Now, down on his knee in front of her tear-stained face, he prayed that he had gotten the point across like he meant to.

She finally spoke, "but Logan...what if I run again?"

"Do you promise to come back?"

"Yes."

"Promise not to sleep with any groomsmen?"

She rolled her eyes, "no groomsmen or bridesmaids."

"Then we'll figure it out. I need you in my life, Ace. I love you."

"I love you too."

"So?"

She started to smile, "what was the question again?"

He laughed, and, just like that, he knew he had her, "Marry me, Ace?"

She smiled, "Yes."

He stood up and pulled her into his arms, spinning her around while kissing her. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She kissed him hard and hot. When they finally parted, she grinned, "how would you like to make love to your future wife in your parents house in your old bed?"

He grinned, put her down, and went and locked the door. When he turned around, she was naked and watching him. He started to pull his clothes off and by the time he was standing in front of her, he only had his boxers left. She reached down and pulled them off for him. When she stood back up, he pushed her down onto the bed.

"My, my, someone thinks he's in charge."

"Well they don't call me Master and Commander for nothing."

She threw her head back laughing and his lips were immediately on her neck. He took them on a ride that he hoped to repeat again and again over the coming years. When they were done, she lay naked in his arms, and he finally felt whole.