AN: I'm keeping my promise of a quick update. I hope to make up for the long gaps between chapters. This was never meant to take two years to finish. I had an immensely good time writing this story that also challenged me at times. Writing Rory is never easy for me, because in my perception of the show she's always second place, if not third or fourth. If anyone wonders if I'll continue with this story, I'm afraid to disappoint you. The most interesting thing to me is how to get the two Ls together. What comes after is left to our imagination on the show, and I wanna keep true to that.

I want to thank everyone who so faithfully read, reviewed, followed and faved this story. Thanks so much to Nancy who I can never thank with a PM. You're a steady reviewer to my stories and I appreciate you taking time out of your day to leave me some nice words. A sisterly smooch on the cheek goes to DSLeo for her continued support and specifically for her input to this chapter.

Epilogue: Independence

The wind was relatively strong and had cooled down the air even more. Lorelai regretted not having brought a light summer jacket. She knew she had one that would have perfectly matched her dress. She rubbed her arms a bit to make her goosebumps go away. Luke noticed from the corner of his eye that she was trying to warm herself up. This was exactly the reason why he hated summer so much. He was only clad in jeans and t-shirt, his trusty flannel was back home. He gladly would have taken it off to give it to her. If she let him. She sometimes fussed when she was insisting it didn't go with her outfit. Personally, he couldn't care less if something matched another piece of clothing. But he got that she wanted to look a certain way when she was feeling like it. Ultimately, he was profiting from her good mood, but tonight was different. He stepped closer to her and put his hands on hers and together they continued to warm her up somewhat.

"You don't happen to have some mulled wine back at the diner?" she asked him.

When no reply came, she turned around to him and saw the deep creases in his forehead.

"I didn't think so," she concluded.

"Do you wanna go home?" he asked and his heart skipped a beat.

"No, we'll wait for the fireworks," insisted Lorelai.

"As you wish."

"Has Rory made you watch the Princess Bride again?"

"Only once."

"In the last week."

"Speak of the devil," Luke remarked as she saw Rory and Lane approach them.

"Hey mom."

"Hey kid. Are you having fun?"

"Tons!" she said and Lane started giggling.

"Listen, we might not see each other again because I think we're going home right after the fireworks. I'm freezing."

"That's OK," the girl shrugged. "I took all my stuff to Lane's already."

"Good. Are you staying with us for the fireworks?"

"Sure," nodded her daughter.

The foursome watched with excitement when they heard the sharp whistling sound that announced the first rocket. Halfway through the fireworks Lorelai couldn't stand the chilly wind any longer. She and Luke left. After having dropped off Rory and Lane at Mrs. Kim's house, the couple turned into Plum Street to make their way home. She heard Luke exhale a couple times.

"Are you cold, too?" Lorelai asked him.

"Hm? Yeah. Who knew it'd be so cold in July?"

"Apparently we're a pair of dumb dumbs who wouldn't check the weather report, so I guess it's our fault."

As they walked by Babette and Morey's house, Lorelai noticed her mailbox. That's weird, she thought. She hadn't noticed the flag being up when they left hours earlier.

"I'm just gonna check the mailbox. Not that someone wants to prank us with fireworks or something," Lorelai announced, to which Luke nodded.

She walked towards the mailbox as Luke passed her right side to go to the house. She saw how he fumbled the keys out of his pocket before he reached the porch steps. She smiled at the image. He was the one who insisted on locking up every time they left the house, so it was only fair he was responsible for the keys. At first she didn't see anything in the box, but she bent forward to get a better look. It was too dark, and she wanted to make sure she wasn't imagining things. Now she could see something, so she reached into the mailbox with her hand.

Lorelai froze when her palm came in contact with the velvety surface, but she managed to get the small box out of the mailbox. Her heart started racing. She looked to the house, but he wasn't there. She tried to clear her throat to call for him, but all that came out was a croak. Suddenly, she felt his hand on her shoulder before it descended on her arm and when his hand reached hers and she had fully turned around, she saw him kneeling before her. Still unable to get a word out, she looked at him and then to the small box she still held in her right hand.

"Lorelai," he started and she felt like she was one millimeter from crying her eyeballs out. That was all it took. Just him saying her name.

"Yes?" she said in reflex and wondered if her voice had always sounded like that.

He carefully took the box from her hand and slowly opened it as he uttered his words.

"I love you so much, and I can't imagine celebrating independence better than giving mine up for you. Will you marry me?" he asked, his heart short of jumping out of his ribcage.

She looked at him and at the beautiful ring he held up to her. She had only known him for a little over a year, and yet she couldn't imagine a life without him.

She sank to her knees, too, and hugged him tightly. "Of course I will," she whispered, her voice still not strong enough. Forgotten were the chilly wind and the grass stains on her dress that she'd indubitably get. When they were both ready to let go of each other, momentarily only, he took the ring from its box and put it on her finger.

Kisses and hugs were exchanged, and then, with the grand finale of the fireworks, they went inside.

"Elvis, daddy will make an honest woman out of me," Lorelai litled.

Elvis looked up from his spot under the stairs where he was hiding from the fireworks.

"I can't believe the cat is the first one you're telling. Also, don't call me daddy," he shook his head.

"Regretting it already?" she smiled.

"Not as much as you will."

"Come on, that's not gonna happen," she said as she went to the fridge to get a bottle of champagne.

He eyed her. "You asked for mulled wine not half an hour ago."

"You wanna toast our engagement with mulled wine? Who would've thunk you're that progressive?"

"Point taken."

She kissed him then. "This," she motioned between them, "is going to be good."

"Going to be?"

"Yup. And by this I mean the all-night session of lovemaking ahead of us," she gave him a playful smile.

"We need more sustenance for that than champagne."

"Dirty!" she laughed.

He rolled his eyes. "I don't get why that would qualify for a dirty in any way."

"Then think again my friend," she winked and poured them two glasses of champagne.

They toasted their engagement and shared a deep kiss.

"Wait, wait, wait," interrupted Lorelai. "Did you just say what I think you said?"

"What did I say?" he asked her.

"Did you just suggest a midnight snack? Did Lucas 'health nut' Danes a few moments ago insinuate that he would have to eat something after dinner in order to have the strength for an all-nighter?" Lorelai challenged him with that wicked smile of hers.

"You're clearly making too big a deal out of this," he tried to downplay it.

"Nah-uh. You said you needed more sustenance. Will I finally get my wish of a midnight buffet?"

"No."

"Midnight sliders, an entire tray just for me?"

"No."

"Midnight quesadilla?"

No answer.

"Midnight mac 'n cheese?"

"Lorelai, I just asked you to marry me. This implies that I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Hopefully, a very long life. And I need you by my side. My main goal is to keep you healthy so you can be with me forever."

She immediately realized his tonal shift and she loved him for every word he had just said. She blinked, once, twice.

"OK, here's my final offer: Midnight orgasm?" Lorelai asked in a playful way.

He smiled at her then. "That I can do."

I've always wanted to do this. So here it goes:

PurryCat WILL RETURN