"Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm pregnant."

"How far along are you?"

"I just peed on a stick a couple days ago."

"Have you seen the doctor yet?"

"No. I have an appointment Monday."

"Are you going to keep it?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I am!"

"Is it Logan's?"

"No."

"The Wookie's?"

"God no! That was months ago!"

"Jess?"

"We haven't had sex in years."

"Wait, you've slept with Jess?"

"A couple times."

"And you've never told me?"

"We weren't talking at the time."

"Oh. Really?"

"Yeah."

"Weren't you with Logan during that time?"

"Yep."

"Oh. So, is it Dean's?"

"Did you take some drugs this morning? I haven't slept with Dean since I was twenty!"

"I am just running out of options here! Oh! I got it! Is it, damn it, what is his name?"

"Paul?"

"Yeah. Is it Paul's?"

"No. I barely saw him, let alone have time to have sex with him!"

"Alright, I give up. Are you the Virgin Rory?"

"No."

"Then who else have you done the dirty with?"

"I've been sleeping with him for awhile…"

"I already guessed Logan and Peter!"

"You mean Paul?"

"Isn't that what I said?"

"No. You definitely said Peter."

"Well, I was close."

"How is that close?"

"Peter, Paul, and Mary."

"Got it. You were close if Paul was fifty years older and could sing."

"So, you said you have been sleeping with him for awhile, what do you mean by awhile?"

"I mean awhile."

"How many times have you guys been naked together?"

"I don't know. I don't notch my bedpost every time I sleep with him."

"Fine, then how long have been hooking up?"

"Awhile."

"Quantify awhile."

"Several years."

"Meaning?"

"Several years."

"Are you talking one year, two years, three years? I need more details."

"Umm… twelve years?"

"Twelve years! And I am just now hearing about this!"

"It isn't necessarily something I am proud of."

"But, you tell me everything."

"Nobody knows."

"They are going to know now."

"Not necessarily."

"Wait. Do you mean that you aren't going to tell him?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Well, have you guys stopped hooking up? Otherwise he is going to find out when you are all fat."

"No. We haven't."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Thursday."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"But, you were at the house Thursday night?"

"No I wasn't."

"Yes you were."

"Nope."

"Yes you were. We were watching Moulin Rouge at the movie theatre."

"I know."

"Then we went home and watched Pulp Fiction."

"I know."

"We didn't go to bed until 2:30."

"I know."

"When did you have time to make whoopee?"

"I left and met up with him when you went to bed."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"But, I never heard you leave and Luke didn't say he heard you leave."

"I've learned to be quiet."

"Dirty!"

"But, true."

"So, you left Thursday night and met up with him."

"I did."

"Where did you go?"

"The city."

"Wait, you drove all the way to New York?"

"Yep."

"At 2:30 in the morning?"

"Yep."

"Just for sex."

"I wouldn't put it that way."

"How'd you make it back before I woke up?"

"Easily, you slept until noon."

"But, Luke didn't."

"He was at the diner when I got back."

"He didn't mention that your car was missing."

"He doesn't go out the front door to get to the diner."

"So, you've done this before."

"Multiple times."

"Oh wow. I can't believe I was this clueless."

"Like I said, I have learned to be quiet."

"But, it is more than that. I was oblivious to your car being gone."

"I also learned to be sneaky."

"So, I am guessing I have never met him."

"You actually have."

"I have?"

"Yeah. You just never met him as a romantic interest of mine."

"Obviously."

"I'm sorry I never told you about him."

"So, I've met him?"

"Yes."

"Did you meet him at Yale?"

"Yeah."

"Is it Marty?"

"No, he got married shortly after graduation."

"So, you will cheat on your boyfriends, but you won't ruin marriages anymore?"

"Mom, can you please not judge me right now. There is a reason I have never told you about him."

"Because you know I would be the voice of reason?"

"Because it is complicated."

"I thought I raised you better than that."

"You did, but it is complicated."

"Okay kid, you have to explain yourself here, because I cannot even fathom what situation will lead to this behavior from you."

"It started when Logan and I were doing our no-strings-attached thing and we just were never able to stop what we were doing."

"How?"

"How what?"

"How hard is it to just tell a guy that you are seeing someone else?"

"Mom, it is more complicated than that."

"I'm sorry hun, I am just at a loss right now. You need to explain more."

"He didn't want to drag me into his life. Before I started dating Logan exclusively we talked about doing the serious thing and there was just too much going on in his life. Then, when Logan and I took our break, we talked about it some more. After I turned down Logan's proposal we revisited the aspect of us being a couple again, and we were about to do it, but other things in his family came up. Over the years we have had the exclusivity conversation dozens of times, but there was always something in the way."

"Obviously the word 'exclusive' is flexible in your vocabulary."

"Mom…"

"Or that if he really did like you that he wouldn't give a damn about what his family thought."

"Mom, please do not lecture me right now. I know what I was doing was wrong. I realize it, but I cannot change the past. It is so much more complicated than what you can understand."

"So, he is from society?"

"How can you tell?"

"The fact that his family is a huge hurdle towards you two being in a relationship."

"It is even more complicated than most society families."

"Please go on."

"It is not my place to say. I can just say that it is more complicated than my conception and familial line."

"Now you are taking stabs at me?"

"That is not what I meant!"

"That was what it sounded like."

"I was meaning more along the lines of how the Hayden's didn't want to acknowledge my existence or didn't want me to exist at all."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"So, who is it?"

Rory sighed and took in a deep breath, "It's… Hey Jess!"

"There you two are! We have been looking for you guys for the last ten minutes! Luke would have thought that you ran away if you didn't already get married last night." Jess said with a wink.

Lorelai looked up in surprise, "How do you know that?"

Jess smirked, "Luke can't keep that big of a secret to only himself."

Rory stood up and turned to face her mother, and stuck her hand out to her mother, "Come on, let's go get you fake married."

"Oooo! It is like playing dress up, but I am already married!"

After the new bride and groom made it back down the aisle, Rory linked arms with Jess and started back down the aisle, after the first couple of steps, Jess leaned over and whispered in Rory's ear, "I always thought it would be us walking down the aisle. I never thought they would actually make it."

"I always knew it would be them. I could never hurt you like that."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's complicated," was Rory's simplistic response. Jess started to open his mouth but Rory just kept her face forward and kept the two moving back down the aisle. As they reached the last row of guests, Rory caught a glimpse of a familiar blonde out of the corner of her eye.

Once the music stopped and the guests got up and started to move around, Rory turned and ran back to the familiar blonde and slid in right next to her. "Lilly, what are you doing here? Are you here by yourself?"

"Rory!" exclaimed the young blonde as she lunged to hug Rory.

"Lilly, I am happy to see you, but I need you to answer my question. What are you doing here? Did someone bring you?"

Lilly just shook her head, "I took the bus."

"That still doesn't explain why you are here."

"Auntie Addie wasn't home when I woke up this morning, and so I did what uncle said to do in case I ever got lost."

"And what were his instructions?"

"To get on a bus to Stars Hollow and ask for Lorelai Gilmore and that I should start at a diner or an inn. I don't remember what inn or diner, but when I got here, I saw all the people and saw the lady in the pretty dress and I wanted to watch the wedding. Then I saw you and I stayed very quiet until you came over here."

"Where is your uncle at?"

"With his friends for a party."

"A party? Are you sure?"

"Uh huh. I don't remember what he called it, but I asked him if there was cake at the party and he said that it isn't like a birthday party, but that it is still a party. So, I asked him what is a party without cake and he said that the party he was going to is where only boys come together and go to different places doing different things."

"Did he call it a bachelor party?"

"Yeah! That is what it was! How did you know?"

"It is what people do before they have a wedding."

"So, when people have a wedding they have lots of parties?"

"Yes they do."

"At my wedding and my parties can I have cake?"

"Of course."

"Yay!"

"Where is your mom at?"

"I don't know. She said she had to go away for work."

"Okay. Why don't we see if we can get ahold of your uncle. How does that sound?"

"Only if you ask him if I can have some cake!"

"I am sure I can manage that." Rory placed her hand out to Lilly to hold and walked over to the head table to grab her clutch and her phone. As Rory was about to turn around to walk off to the side of the festivities, she felt a tug on her dress. Rory looked down to see Lilly looking up at her with puppy-dog eyes. "Yes Miss Lilly?"

"Can I go meet the lady in the pretty white dress?"

"Of course, let's go find her." Rory and Lilly walked hand in hand until they found Lorelai talking with Miss Patty and Babette. "Hi Miss Patty, Babette, can I steal mom away for a moment? I have a little friend that would like to meet her."

"Of course sweetie! This day is just as much yours as hers," Babette replied.

Lorelai turned and walked a little ways away with Rory and Lilly in tow. Once they were a few steps away Lorelai bent down to the little girl, "I'm Lorelai. What's your name?"

"I'm Lilly. I really like your dress and your flowers are really pretty."

"I love your name Miss Lilly. Would you like a flower?"

Lilly looked up to Rory and Rory gave Lilly a nod of approval. Looking up to Lorelai with a sparkle in her eye, she nodded her head enthusiastically and said, "Yes please."

Lorelai smiled and held her bouquet out, "Which one would you like? You can pick any one you want."

Lilly pointed at one of the many yellow Gerber Daises that was in Lorelai's bouquet. "This one?" Lorelai confirmed and was met with another one of Lilly's enthusiastic nods. Reaching into her bouquet, Lorelai yanked you flower out and handed it to Lilly. As soon as Lilly's little hands wrapped around the stem, she lit up and was the happiest person in the room.

"Thank you Miss Lorelai," Lilly beamed.

"Anything for you Miss Lilly." As Lilly bent her head to examine her newly acquired flower, Lorelai turned her attention to Rory and whispered, "How do you know her?"

In a quiet, almost inaudible whisper, Rory replied, "She is the niece of my friend."

"Which friend?"

"Just a friend."

"Do I know her?"

"You've met him."

"So, it's a him?"

"Yes, it is a male specimen."

"What is this male specimen's name?"

"His name is…"

Lilly chose that exact moment to look up at Rory, "Rory, I have to go potty."

Taking Lilly's hand in hers, Rory started walking towards the diner, "Alright, let's go use the indoor potty so that my dress doesn't get all dirty while I help you."

Lilly started laughing, "Don't be silly Rory, I don't need help anymore. I only needed help when I was in Kindygarden. Now, I am a second grader and can go all on my own."

Rory nodded, "I forgot how big you had gotten. We will go inside just in case anyways."

Sure enough when they got to the bathroom in the diner, the toilet was too high for Lilly to climb onto and Rory had to help Lilly get onto the toilet. After Lilly was perched on the toilet, Rory walked out of the bathroom and pulled out her phone and dialed a very familiar, not programmed, number. Just as Rory suspected, in the middle of the second ring it went straight to voicemail. Rory immediately hung up and called a second time. Sure enough her call was denied again. After the first try calling Rory knew that she would have to call three times before he would answer her call, it was their secret code. Three calls meant there was an emergency. It only took one ring before she heard the man pick up on the other side of the phone.

"What's wrong?" was the greeting from the breathless man.

"Well, there was an unexpected guest at the wedding."

"Your dad? Cause that would not justify you calling three times," he said with a laugh.

"No, that would just justify a text with a time and location," Rory retorted.

"So, what is wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but Lilly is here."

"Love, I think I just heard you wrong. Can you repeat what you just said?"

"Lilly is here."

"That's funny, I think you just said that Lilly is there and that is just absurd!"

"Well, no matter how absurd it sounds, it is true."

"How'd she get there? Did Addie take her?"

"Nope, she took a bus."

"She what?!"

"She took a bus."

"This is not a good time to practice your comedy routine; I am out with the boys."

"I realize that you are with the boys, Lilly told me."

"So, she really is there."

"That she is."

"So…" At that moment, Rory heard Lilly calling her name from the other side of bathroom door.

"Hold on," Rory said into the phone. "Yes?" Rory questioned into the bathroom door.

"I can't reach the toilet paper."

"Can I come in and help?"

"Yes, please."

Rory walked into the bathroom with her phone tucked between her ear and shoulder and grabbed some toilet paper off the roll. "Is this enough?"

"I think so. Are you on the phone with uncle?"

"Yes I am."

"Have you asked him about the cake?"

"Not yet. I will in a minute."

"Can you leave now?"

"Oh sorry. Let me know if you need anything else."

Back outside the bathroom door, Rory turned her attention back to the phone, to hear the man on the other side say in a very slurred fashion, "Oh it is just Lilly's sitter, and I'll be back inside in a moment." Rory cleared her throat and after a moment, the slurred speech turned into very clear speech, "What was she saying about cake?"

Rolling her eyes, Rory replied, "She wants to know if she can have cake."

Laughing, he replied, "Of course."

"So, where are you guys? London? Dubai? Tokyo? Sydney?"

"Believe it or not, we are in the city."

"New York City?"

"What other city is there?"

"Tons."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're in Stars Hollow, right?"

"Of course."

"I can be there in a couple hours. I do have to go get my car. Are you fine watching Lilly until I can get there?"

"I can also bring her into the city."

"Don't be silly, it is your mother's wedding day. Enjoy it and I will be there in a couple hours."

Just then Lilly walked out of the bathroom and Rory felt a wave of nausea hit her and with her hand still holding onto her phone, she puked into the toilet. After her entire stomach had been emptied, she splashed water on her face, swirled some water in her mouth spat it out, and returned to her phone.

The man on the other side of the phone was just finishing telling, presumably a cabbie, "155th and Madison."

Meekly Rory said to both Lilly and the man on the phone, "Sorry about that."

Lilly looked up and asked, "Are you sick, Rory?"

Rory just shook her head and returned her attention to the man on the phone while she stuck her hand out to Lilly and they headed back to the party.

"Are you okay, love?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. I just must have ate too much junk food with mom last night."

"That must be a first for you."

"It has been happening a lot recently."

"You should go to the doctor."

"I'm going on Monday."

"Really?"

"Yeah. So, I take it you are on your way here?"

"I am. I am about to pull up to my place and then I will hit the road after I grab some clothes for me and Lilly."

"You're going to stay the night?"

"Well, by the time I get there, it will be past Lilly's bedtime, and I would like to keep her in her routine."

"I can feed her and then go through the nighttime routine with her."

"Don't be silly. It is your mom's wedding. It will not hurt her to be up past her bedtime for an hour or two; I just don't want to push four or five hours past her bedtime."

"Understandably."

"Do you think there is a room at your mom's inn?"

"Well, last I knew the wedding sold out the rest of the rooms."

"Oh."

"I have a room though."

"You aren't staying at your mom's house?"

"On the first night they are married? Hell no. Mom reserved me a room at the inn as soon as they decided to have the wedding."

"So, you would go stay at the house so we can have a room?"

"I did not say that."

"Damn it. So, you just wanted to tease me a little? I know how much you like teasing me."

"Hush you! If you behave, I will ask if I can get a roll-away bed put in the room and we can share."

"You would do that for us?"

"You know I would do anything for you."

"I know."

"I am going to go and get us some food. Please drive safe. I will see you in a little bit."

"I will. See you soon."

Rory hung up her phone and stuck it back in her bag and turned her attention back to Lilly, "How about we get some food?"

"Really? Are there any hot dogs?"

"There are. There are also hamburgers. Which one would you like?"

"Hamberdog!"

"I have taught you well."

Rory grabbed food for both her and Lilly and headed back to the head table. She took her spot next to her mother and then went and found a chair for Lilly and placed it right next to her. The two dug into the food in front of them and watched the festivities as townspeople laughed, danced, and celebrated Luke and Lorelai.

Lilly tugged on Rory's dress, once Rory looked over at Lilly, Lilly asked, "When do I get cake?"

"Well, we will have the toasts, and then there will be the first dance, and then they will cut the cake."

"So, in one episode of Paw Patrol?"

"It may be two episodes."

"That is a long time."

"I know, but your uncle should be here soon and he can take you out on the dance floor and once you're dancing time flies on by."

"Really?"

"Really really."

"Good."

Rory cleared their plates and sat back down just as Kirk, the DJ, announced that it was time for the toasts. Kirk started to give the microphone to Rory first, but she gestured for Jess to make the first toast.

"Many of you know me as a man of few words and I will continue with that tradition of silence. Luke you got the girl of your dreams, even after all this time. Granted, I never thought I would be standing up here, and that rolls would be reversed, but I am happy for both of you. I know your future will be filled with adventure and entertainment. To the bride and groom!"

Everyone raised their glassed and repeated, "To the bride and groom," and took a drink of their drinks. Jess walked the microphone to Rory and locked eyes with her for minute, conveying a meaning that was understood only between the two. Rory almost imperceptibly shook her head at Jess as she took the microphone from him and turned to face the wedding guests.

"I, unlike Jess, knew that we would be standing up here one day. As many of you know, it has basically been just me and mom for the last thirty-two years and we always told ourselves that was all we ever needed. However, even when we were telling the world, and ourselves, that we were all we needed, Luke was always there. He was feeding us, fixing things for us, and just listening. He was there when we didn't even know we needed him and he always saved the day. He was the dad that I never had. He was the constant in our lives. Mom may have denied her feelings for years and it may have been a very rough road getting here, but the point is that we are here now. I love you both. You are both soul mates and the love of each other's lives. Luke, you are the Sonny to her Cher, the Barack to her Michelle, and the Popeye to her Sweetpea, thank you for being there for us and for agreeing to be here for now and eternity. I hope that one day I will have the love and life that you both have. I love you mom and dad. To Lorelai and Luke."

There wasn't a dry eye in the square when everyone raised their glasses to Rory's toast. Both Lorelai and Luke got up and gave Rory a group hug, both with tears streaming down their faces.

Kirk came up to Rory and took the microphone back and through his sobs, he announced that it was time for the first dance. As Lorelai and Luke took the floor, Lilly tugged on Rory's dress.

"Rory, why is everyone crying? Weddings are supposed to be happy."

"They are happy tears."

"There are happy tears?"

"Sometimes you are so happy you start crying."

"I don't think I have ever done that."

"Don't worry; I didn't start doing it until I was all grown up. It might be a grown up thing."

"I don't think I will ever do that."

"Oh, you will. Trust me."

At that moment, the two were interrupted by a tall man walking up to them. Lilly saw him first and took off running and jumped into his arms, "Uncle! I missed you."

"I missed you too Lilly-bug. I hope Rory has taken great care of you."

"She has. She fed me, and answered all my questions, and introduced me to the lady in the pretty white dress who gave me a flower and I got to sit at the important people table."

"Oh really? Have you had any cake yet?"

Lilly sighed, "Nooo. I have to wait for the dancing to stop and then I get cake. Although, Rory did say dancing made the time fly by."

"Rory is right there, dancing does make the time fly."

"Can we dance right now?"

"Well, we have to wait until at least this song is done."

"Why?"

"Because when people get married they dance to symbolize their commitment and they get to dance by themselves for one whole song while everyone else watches."

"Why?"

"Because once people are married they are going to be dance partners for the rest of their lives."

"That is a long time."

"It is not long enough."

"Why?"

"Because when you love someone you want to spend forever with them."

"How long is forever?"

"It is like if you put Paw Patrol on and put it on repeat and never stopped watching. Forever is all time."

"So like one hundred years?"

"More than that."

"One thousand years?"

"More."

"One million years?"

"Even more than that."

"Woah."

"I know."

Right then, Lorelai and Luke's first dance ended and Kirk announced, "This next dance is for any couple that is in love. Then we will open the dance floor to anyone and will get to everyone's favorite part of a wedding: the cake!"

Lilly looked up to her uncle, as he was looking over at Rory, who had her eyes locked on him, and Lilly announced, "Uncle, I love you and you love me, does that mean we can dance in this dance?"

Smiling, he bowed and stuck his hand out to his niece, "Can I have this dance?"

Giggling Lilly nodded her head and took his hand. As they headed out to the dance floor he looked back at Rory just a Jess came up to her and led her out to the dance floor as well. As everyone moved around the dance floor, everyone kept smiling at Lilly and her uncle, while everyone was also whispering about who that mystery man was as well as the fact that Rory was dancing with Jess.

The mystery man kept picking Lilly up and spun her around on multiple occasions. As he was holding her up, he whispered something in her ear, to which Lilly nodded her head. He spun her around some more and deposited her in her chair at the head table and headed back to the dance floor. He found the couple he was looking for and tapped on Jess's shoulder, "May I cut in?"

Jess looked him up and down, "This dance is for people who are in love," and turned back to Rory who was glaring at him.

Rory extracted herself from Jess's grasp and just stood on the dance floor while looking at Jess, "Well, in that case, we shouldn't be dancing." Turning to the man, Rory beamed and said, "I would love to dance with you." The two moved around the dance floor like naturals, like they had been doing it for years, because they had been, twelve years exactly. When the music stopped, neither of them realized and kept dancing. It wasn't until Kirk announced that it was time for the cutting of the cake that the two broke apart and headed back to where Lilly was practically bouncing on the edge of her seat.

Lilly looked up to both of them, "It's cake time!"

Rory bent down to her, "Yes it is."

"Can I have some now?"

"We just have to wait for the bride and groom to have some."

"And how long will that take?"

"Five minutes top. I will get you to the front of the line."

"Really, Rory?"

"Really really."

As soon as both Luke and Lorelai had cake smeared all over their faces, Rory grabbed three pieces of cake and wandered back to the table handing two to Lilly. Lilly's eyes got really wide, "I get two pieces?"

"Don't be silly. Go give one to your uncle, and then you can eat your piece."

"Okay!" Lilly got up and practically skipped over to her uncle and handed him a piece, they exchanged pleasantries and Lilly practically sprinted back to her seat and started devouring her cake.

As soon as Rory took a bite of the cake her nausea came shooting back. She promptly stood up and rushed right out of the square, right past Lilly's uncle and to the nearest trash can that was far enough away from people to see her. However, one person couldn't miss her and followed her. Just as Rory started retching, he scooped her hair up and held it out of the way. As soon as she stood back up, he handed her a handkerchief and a bottle of water.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, the cake was just too sweet and didn't settle very well."

"Are you sure that is it?"

"Yeah."

"I don't believe you."

"I know."

Both of them wandered back to head table to find Lorelai talking with Lilly.

"Thanks for keeping an eye on Lilly, mom."

"No problem. She is a super sweet kid. So, who is your friend?"

At that very moment, all the lights went out and the music stopped. Above the chitter chatter of all the guests, the only sound was the pounding footsteps of none other than Taylor Doose. "Kirk! What did you do? This is a fire hazard!"

"I didn't do anything Taylor. I swear."

"This is putting everyone out here in danger and the town cannot be liable for this. You know Luke, the permits are in your name, that means that you are liable if anyone gets hurt."

Luke started turning red and approaching Taylor, "You want to talk liability Taylor!? I am guessing that the town forgot to pay the electric bill again."

"Now, don't you get rash Luke. That has only happened three times."

"And that is three times too many! What says that you paid the bill this time?"

Lorelai looked over at her daughter, "I better go separate them before I end up spending my wedding night at the emergency room or the jail."

Rory laughed, "Go save your hunky husband. We are going to start heading towards the inn."

As Lorelai was walking away she called back over her shoulder, "Dinner tomorrow?"

"As long as it is Al's."

"Deal!"

Turning towards Lilly and her uncle, Rory nudged into them and started walking away from the town square with the yelling between Luke and Taylor getting more heated in the background. Lilly was asleep in her uncle's arms so it left the two adults to talk.

"You weren't kidding when you said Stars Hollow is always full of entertainment. Do all of the town events end like that?"

"Not all of them, but a fair share of them do. If Luke and Taylor aren't yelling at each other, then Kirk has injured himself in some way or messed something up. No matter what, it is entertaining."

"I should have started coming to the Stars Hollow functions years ago! I can only imagine what I have missed!"

"Most of the time you were off having your own adventures."

"Love, you better than anyone knows that those adventures were more work than fun."

"I know."

"So, you never told me how the hell Lilly ended up here? You said something about taking the bus?"

"That is what she said. She said she took the bus. She also said that you told her that is she ever found herself lost or alone to take the bus to Stars Hollow and ask for a Lorelai and that someone would get her to mom and that mom would know what to do."

"Oh."

"Yeah. You know that was a pretty smart plan on your part, minus, you know, taking the bus from Manhattan all the way to Stars Hollow!"

"I know."

"So why did you think of that?"

"I wouldn't want her wandering around Manhattan by herself. I would rather have her on a bus or in a small town where no crimes happen."

"Hey! Stars Hollow has crime!"

"Yeah? Like what? Breaking curfew?"

"No. We had a murder when I was in high school."

"You're lying."

"No I'm not."

"Love, I have known you for twelve years and can tell when you are lying."

"I know."

"So, what really happened?"

"Jess drew a chalk outline of a body on the sidewalk outside Doose's and hung up crime scene tape."

From behind them another person popped out, "Hey! It was never proven that I was the culprit!"

"Jess, please leave us alone."

"Why? Is this your new boyfriend?"

"Jess, please just go."

"Is he why you keep being so cold to me?"

"Jess…" Rory started to only be interrupted, "Look man, she just wants you to go."

"So, you're her bodyguard?"

"Jess, please go back to the wedding."

"No. How do I know that he isn't forcing you to leave. I've never met him. Could be a kidnapper."

"Jess, he is not a kidnapper. I have known him for years. Please let us be."

"Oh, I get it now, he is one of those society boys. How'd that last one work out for you?"

By this point, Rory was crying, "Jess, that is none of your business. Can you please leave me alone? Whatever there was between us died years ago. I am over you Jess and I have moved on. Please, why won't you listen to me?"

"You really want me to leave?"

"Yes, please."

"Goodbye Rory." With that, Jess wandered off and not in the direction of the square.

Pulling Rory in closer, Lilly's uncle said, "So, that was Jess?"

"Yep," Rory sniffled.

"He seems like a real winner."

"He generally isn't like that. I'm not sure what has gotten into him."

"You and I both know that a man's demeanor changes when there is a woman in the picture, especially a woman he can't have."

"I know."

"I guess I have met all of the guys you've slept with now."

"With the exception of Dean."

"Does he even count?"

"I lost my virginity to him, he definitely counts."

"Fine. I am sure I'll meet him eventually."

At that moment, the trio had reached the Dragonfly. Rory headed straight up the stairs with the other two following. They were stopped halfway up the stairs by a caller at the bottom, "Excuse me sir, but you have to check in, and we don't have any rooms available tonight."

Rory leaned around the duo and smiled, "Sarah, they are with me. You did put that roll-away bed in my room like I asked, correct? Or do I need to go get one myself?"

Sarah started shaking and stuttering, "No… I did it… I'm sorry… I didn't see you…"

Smiling again and heading back up the stairs, Rory yelled out, "Have a goodnight Sarah."

Once they were out of earshot Lilly's uncle bent down and whispered in Rory's ear, "You've been practicing your Emily Gilmore impression, haven't you?"

"Actually, no. I have just found that I can pull it out when needed. It must be genetic."

"I can't see your mom using it."

"Oh, she does, hers is scarier though."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't expect it from mom, so when it comes out it is terrifying."

"You could say the same about you."

"Did I scare you?"

"No, but I have seen you pull it out on my sisters before."

"That is true."

"My guess is that Sarah down there has never seen you do one mean thing the entire time she has worked here?"

"You would be correct in that assumption."

As Rory opened the door to their room both of them entered and Lilly's uncle headed straight to the roll-away bed and put Lilly down. Rory turned to him, crossed her arms and glared. Confused, he asked, "What?"

"What do you think you're doing?" Rory shot back.

"Putting Lilly in bed."

"Who said Lilly was sleeping in the roll-away bed?"

"I just assumed."

"That is right, you assumed. I was looking forward to a night of cuddling!"

"Well, luckily for you, I know a way better cuddler than Lilly. All you would get with her is some bruised shins and an elbow to the face."

"And who is this better cuddler you speak of?"

"I think you already know," he said as he tackled Rory to the bed tickling her.

Laughing, Rory started yelling out, "Oklahoma! Oklahoma!"

They both collapsed onto their backs next to each other, he was the first one to break the comfortable silence, "Do you even remember how the Oklahoma bit started?"

"No clue, it has been going on so long. We started it at the beginning."

"Did it come up when we were talking about code words?"

"Probably."

"Love, I always forget that I haven't known you my whole life."

"We are getting close to crossing the thresh mark."

"What thresh mark?"

"The one between knowing each other more than not in our lives."

"Really?"

"It has been twelve years.'

"I know."

"Essentially six more years."

"I know."

"Is someone sleepy?" Rory's question was answered with his quiet snore. Laughing to herself, Rory rolled over and cuddled into him. In his sleep he subconsciously putting his arm around her and pulled her in tight. Both were fast asleep within minutes, finding a comfortable and familiar spot within each other's arms.

As the room was starting to shine with the first bits of daylight, Rory shot out of the bed and ran to the bathroom. The shaking of the bed with Rory's sudden movement and the sound of her vomiting woke up Lilly's uncle. He stumbled out of bed and scooped Rory's hair up and held it behind her head as he rubbed small circles on her back. Rory sat up and leaned against the tub. Lilly's uncle got up and came back with a glass of water.

"Okay. You can't tell me that this is still the cake. You need to go to a doctor."

"I know. I have an appointment tomorrow."

"You do?"

"Yeah."

"How long has this been going on?"

"The puking?"

"Yeah. Is there something else wrong?"

"I need to tell you something."

"You know you can tell me anything."

"I know."

"Rory, what's wrong?"

"I'm…" Rory wasn't able to finish her sentence because she was interrupted by the pitter patter of Lilly's feet.

"Are you okay Rory?"

Rory gave Lilly a half smile, "I am. Just a little bug."

"Okay. I'm hungry."

"Well, you both are in luck. Sookie is a fantastic chef and I am sure there is something fantastic being cooked downstairs for breakfast."

"Uncle, can we go?"

"Of course. Do you feel up to joining us Rory?"

"I think I am going to stay here and rest a little bit longer. I have been really tired lately."

With a look of concern thrown Rory's way the two left and headed downstairs to the dining room. Rory moved to the bed and pulled out her cell phone and hit her number two speed dial. After five rings, Rory heard the person on the other line whine into the phone, "This better be important. I just fell asleep like an hour ago."

"Dirty!" Rory shouted back.

"What do you expect? It was my wedding night! I am very within my rights to have a full night of dirty, dirty sex. You, on the other hand, got cock blocked by an eight year old."

"I did not get cock blocked."

"Yes you did."

"How would you know?"

"I saw how you both looked at each other. It's him, isn't it?"

"It is."

"And, you were right, I remember him vaguely. You met at Yale, right?"

"Yep."

"And he is why you couldn't marry Logan?"

"Uh huh,"

"Hun, why all the short answers?"

Rory started to cry, "Mom, I can't tell him. I want to, but I can't. I want to have a family with him. I want everything with him. I want to be Missus Rory Morgan. Yet, I can't do that. I will never be able to do that."

Sitting straight up in bed, Lorelai wrinkled her face, "Rory, you can have all that, you just need to talk to him."

"It isn't that simple though. We have talked about us getting married on so many occasions, but it just isn't practical and will never happen."

"Rory, honey, you and I both know that you can do anything you set your mind to. I am the perfect example of how someone can leave society and build the life that they envision for themselves."

"Mom, it is just so complicated. It is too messy of a situation. I can't add another level to the mess, I love him too much."

"That is your decision Rory, but he has a right to know."

"I know mom. I also know that the second I tell him he will be dragging me to the court house."

"I am confused. I thought that is what you wanted."

"It is."

"Then why are you afraid of telling him?"

"Because that is not what is best for him."

"I don't think you are the one who should be deciding what is best for him. I think that is something that he should decide for himself."

"I just don't know mom."

"I think you do know though."

Rory heard the jiggling of the door handle, "Look mom, I have to go. I'll talk to you later. I love you."

"I love you too. And Rory?"

"Yeah mom?"

"I'll be here for you no matter what."

"I know."

"Bye."

Walking in the door balancing three plates in one hand and carrying three glasses in another was Lilly and Finn. Rory looked up laughing, "I knew you had experience serving, but I never thought I would see the day where you utilized those skills."

"Well, that day has come. I hope you love Sookie's lemon rolls."

"Yes! I love them!" However, at that very moment Rory got a waft of the aroma and it immediately turned her stomach around and she was running to the bathroom again. Sitting down the plates as quickly as he could, he rushed behind Rory to take care of her.

Lilly followed just long enough to ask, "Is it okay if I eat mine now? My tummy is growling."

He turned and smiled at her, "Yes, go ahead, just make sure you eat at the table."

"Yay!" Lilly exclaimed as she skipped over to the table and started digging into the largest of the lemon rolls.

Rory and Finn sat on the bathroom floor looking at each other. Concern was wrinkled amongst his face while Rory's was blank and just staring off into space. Rory was fidgeting with the edge of her shirt. He was the first to break the silence, "Rory, do I need to take you to an urgent care? Or the emergency room?"

"You don't need to take me anywhere."

"I know. I just want to help. Would it help to go?"

Rory sighed. "No. I have an appointment tomorrow."

"How long has it been happening?"

"Just a couple days. I am good enough to wait twenty-four hours for medical care."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Both sat in silence for a while longer. The only sound was Lilly's fork hitting her plate as she munched away at her lemon roll. This time, Rory was the first to cut the silence, "We need to talk."

"Okay."

"I know that we have had the couple relationship talk several times before and we always decided that wasn't what was best for us. I don't think we need to rehash the same conversation again. We both know each other better than anyone else, even my mom, so we know the struggles we face. I guess all I want to know is where you stand on the topic?"

"Well, we just had this conversation six months ago. I have started to work on changing some things, but at this point, nothing has changed. So, my answer is the same as it was six months ago. You know that as soon as something changes I would be extremely happy to not only be your boyfriend, but to be able to eventually call you my wife. Yet, it is just too impractical right now. I love you Rory, you know that, right?"

"I know you love me. So, what would have to change?"

"You know that answer. I can't talk about it with Lilly around, but there needs to be some legal action before anything changes."

"I know."

"I am working on it, but I still haven't even scratched the surface."

"I know."

"Rory, what brings this up? I can tell you're off. What's wrong?"

Rory started to cry and he moved to sit next to her and pulled her into him, "I can't do this anymore."

"Love, what do you mean?"

"I mean that I can't keep being in a relationship with you, but not being in a relationship with you. I have passed on some really great guys waiting for you, and I can't wait any longer."

"I wouldn't call Logan or Pete winners."

"Paul."

"I know."

"And I loved Logan. I could have had an amazing life with him, but I was holding out for you and nine years later I am still waiting."

"Don't blame turning Logan down on me! You could have easily chosen him."

"I know, but you were the one that warned me about the proposal and told me about all of it. You were the one that showed me what I would be missing if I became Mrs. Rory Huntzberger. You were the one that told me about how I could be a society wife and have a career if I chose you. Yet, here I am."

"So, what do you want Rory? I can't give you a ring right now."

"I know."

"So, we end it?"

"There is nothing to end! That is the issue. We have to stop sleeping together and on top of that, we need to end everything. I cannot be friends with you while I know what I am missing."

Finn got up off the floor, tears streaming down his face, "Lilly, grab your coat, it is time to go."

"But, I am not done yet!"

"Grab your coat. I'll take you to Sid's when we get home."

"But, this is better than Sid's!"

"Lilly, I am not joking around right now. Grab your coat, we have to go!"

"Is Rory coming with us?"

"No."

"Can I say goodbye to Rory?"

Rory walked out of the bathroom and walked over to where Lilly was putting on her coat and Rory squatted down to be on her level, "I love you Lilly-pad."

"I love you too Rory."

"You listen to your uncle and be a good girl."

"Will do! When will I see you next?"

"I am not sure Miss Lilly."

"But, I will see you again, right?"

Rory started crying again, "I'm not sure right now."

"You save those tears for a really important time, like your wedding day."

"Okay," Rory said while laughing. The two hugged and Finn opened the door. As soon as the embrace ended Lilly walked past her uncle and right out the door. With once glance back Finn walked out of the room and shut the door with a click. That click was all it took to send Rory into a full on melt down. She was bawling and barely able to catch her breath between sobs. What Rory didn't know was that he was still standing outside the door trying to gather his composure and heard Rory's breakdown. He didn't leave until Lilly was at the edge of the stairs and looked back for her uncle. The two walked down the stairs hand-in-hand and out the inn.