DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GILMORE GIRLS.

Logan just proposed. He. Just. Proposed. This was the thought running through Rory's head, as they stood outside, much to the chagrin of the happy partygoers, eagerly awaiting her answer. Her mother had tried to redirect their attention away from the window, tried to convince everyone to forget that Logan had just asked Rory to marry him in front of all her grandparents' closest friends and family. But inside, Lorelai was just as anxious as they were.

Logan just proposed. He. Just. Proposed. This was the thought running through Lorelai's head as she stood at the window trying to give her daughter much-needed privacy. Lorelai had given Logan her permission. True, he had not always been Lorelai's favorite person, but she could see how good he was for her daughter. Lorelai, while always supporting and encouraging Rory's ambition to go to Harvard and then Yale, worried that her daughter would never have any fun. Being the outgoing person she was, she wanted her daughter to find a balance between her academics and her social life. She saw that Logan gave Rory that balance. He debatably could match her talent for writing, and her ambition. He may have gotten her into trouble, brought out her wild side, but despite the yacht incident, and the blame she placed on him for the subsequent rift between her and Rory, Lorelai was secretly happy that her daughter had crept out of her shell of academia. But for all his positives, he had just done an incredibly stupid thing. Lorelai lingered by the window in her parents' monstrosity of a house a second longer than she should have, after shooing away the audience. She shook her head, knowing exactly why Rory had asked Logan outside. This was no way to propose to a Gilmore, especially not Rory. But Lorelai resolved to let her daughter make this decision on her own.

I just proposed. I. Just. Proposed. This was the thought running through Logan's head as he stood there, smiling with the thought of what he had done, but fretting that perhaps the intended result would not come to fruition. Rory's hair blew in the mild breeze. She looked so beautiful in the fading light of a summer day. Tomorrow she would be graduating from college, and starting her life. Logan hoped she'd be starting it with him as well.

Rory's arms were crossed, but not in anger. She saw Logan standing in front of her, smiling in anticipation of her answer.

She took a deep breath. "Logan…"

He immediately started talking, grasping for a foothold on the ledge he felt he was about to slip off of. "Ace, please don't say no. Just think about it. You and me, married, our own place, our own lives. You writing for a top newspaper, I'd be running a newspaper of my own. We'd make a great team. And… I love you," he said this with a certain note of desperation, with the naïve idea that this simple fact was enough.

Logan was a changed man because of Rory. He had never met a girl who was so much his equal as well as his opposite. He knew Rory was special, and that they were meant to be together. She was his rock, his partner, no matter what.

Rory started pacing back and forth, rubbing her head. "Logan, you had to do this here? In front of everyone! My grandparents, half of Hartford! You of all people should know the ramifications of this! If I say no, my grandparents will hold it against me, like they did with my mom for not marrying my father. If I say yes, there will be thirty different china pattern combinations on my grandmother's dining room table in half an hour, and she will expect you and I to have one picked out before the night is through. They know you come from a 'good family,' Logan, we're basically playing into the palms of their hands!" Rory sat on the low garden wall to catch her breath.

Logan waited a second before quietly sitting down next to her. "I'm sorry, okay? Perhaps the public proposal was a bit over the top. But it shouldn't matter, Ace. If you love me, you'll say yes." He was beginning to get annoyed. Why did she think she could leave him hanging like this?

"I… don't know Logan. This is all so sudden—"

"Sudden! Rory, that's how these things go. Proposals are supposed to be a surprise, out of the blue, unexpected. They don't drag out over a lengthy conversation about the pros and cons of the situation!" He was standing now, gesticulating widely in frustration.

"Logan, I'm graduating tomorrow. I have a lot on my mind and I don't want to fight with you. I love you, and my inability to answer your question right at this moment should not reflect just how much. Can we just go back in there, and tell everyone that we're thinking about it? I promise, I'll have an answer right after the ceremony. I just…don't want to argue tonight and I have to sort this through."

The fire was leaving Logan's eyes. In his desperation to hear her say yes, he had hardly remembered everything she was thinking about. He loved how she could rationalize in any situation. He was still a little put off that she wouldn't answer him here and now. After a few seconds of tense silence, Logan said, "Okay. Fine. That's…fine…we'll just say we're 'thinking about it.'" He was quiet, reserved, which worried Rory. But she was hopeful in his willingness to wait for her for a little while longer. He took Rory's arm and braced himself for the barraging of questions.

The two tentatively slipped back inside, each looking at the other, their brief fight momentarily forgotten as they prepared for what they were about to face. But hardly an attendee looked their way when they rejoined the party. The music and din of the celebration had resumed, but Rory only received questioning glances from her grandmother and mother. Richard had resumed his business talk, confident that Emily would fill him in on the details later. Emily must have posed quite a threat to anyone who dared harass her granddaughter, who was obviously struggling with what was, to Emily, an obvious answer to a question. As Rory met Lorelai's gaze from across the room, Lorelai shifted her eyeballs in the direction of the quiet dining room, silently asking Rory if she wanted privacy for the impending discussion. Rory shook her head slightly, preferring to discuss this with her mother at home.

Logan just proposed. He. Just. Proposed. This was the thought running through Emily's head as she waited like a hawk to hear about what had gone on outside, but when she saw Rory shake her head at her mother, Emily knew she'd be the last to know anything. While she wasn't thrilled with the idea of being denied information, she wasn't about to make a scene. She was satisfied with the fact that Rory and Logan didn't seem at odds or overly joyous. They weren't making a big deal out of anything, and this quelled Emily's curiosity for now.

The rest of the party passed uneventfully, with the occasional prodding from a guest about what had transpired outside. Rory and Logan, who had remained close throughout the rest of the night for fear of being shanghaied if left alone, politely deflected any questions. Each time Rory gave the brush off, Logan's heart sank further into his chest, drowning in hurt.

Finally, Rory and Lorelai were alone, having left Christopher, Logan, and the Gilmore residence only minutes before. The silence was uncomfortable in the Jeep, but Lorelai respected that Rory needed time to process. Finally, the tension was unbearable, especially for the chatty Lorelai.

"So, I don't see a ring," Lorelai said.

Rory quickly snapped out of her reverie, and stroked her naked finger on her left hand, as if noticing she had lost a ring she had not actually received. "Nope," she mumbled, leaning her head against the window.

After more silence, Lorelai spoke again. "You two seemed awfully close for having rejected him," she said, wanting more information.

"I didn't reject him. I told him I'd think about it and let him know after graduation tomorrow." At this, Lorelai looked over at her daughter, sunken against the window, obviously deep in internal conflict. Lorelai pulled the Jeep over on the empty Hartford road.

Suddenly noticing they had stopped moving, Rory sat up straight.

"What are you doing?" she said with agitation. Too many movies with creepy ax murderers had sent a stream of scenarios through her mind as to how this night could end.

Lorelai was rummaging in her bag. She procured a small travel notebook and a promotional pen from the Dragonfly Inn. She handed these items to Rory, who accepted them with a questioning look.

Lorelai sat back in her seat and looked out her own window and examined her nail beds. She turned back to Rory after a few seconds, who was still wearing a confused look. "Go ahead," said Lorelai.

Another confused scowl.

"Okay, I'll start you off." Lorelai took back the pen and notebook, opened to a fresh page and made a quick T-chart. On the left, she wrote "pros" and on the right, she wrote "cons." She gave it back to Rory.

When Rory saw "pros" and "cons" written on the top of the page, she inwardly sighed. "Why now, mom?" she asked.

Lorelai turned to face her. "Because I know that you won't be able to focus on anything but this really big decision until tomorrow. I agree, the timing sucked. But he proposed and he deserves an answer that is well thought out. You shouldn't have this weighing on you while you should be focusing on your college graduation. You only graduate once, albeit usually without a marriage proposal hanging in the balance. But as it is, you have one, and I know you. You are practically begging to get this off your chest."

Her mother always knew what she needed to feel better. Rory set to the task as Lorelai looked out her window.

"'Pros' she thought. "I love him. He's smart, talented, ambitious. I know he'll always provide for me, even if that means having to work for Mitchum Huntzberger. He'd go to the ends of the earth for me. Hell, he already did, nearly killing himself in Costa Rica. He has a life plan. He's taken my life into account. 'Cons.' Well, he'll always have an affiliation with Mitchum Huntzberger. What does that mean for my career? Will I ever be recognized for my talent, or will I always be the wife of Logan Huntzberger, the son of the newspaper tycoon? If he could hardly wait for me to answer his proposal, what does that mean about the wedding? Kids? What if he won't let me establish myself as a writer as Rory Gilmore before we really settle down? Do his grandiose plans take that into account? What about traveling? I want to be an international correspondent. Will he come with me at a moment's notice?

Rory examined the list before alerting her mother that she was done. She felt she knew the answer already, but she'd let her mother provide an outside perspective. Rory tapped Lorelai's shoulder.

Lorelai read the list, nodded slightly, folded it, and put it in her purse. She looked at her daughter, knowing the decision she had made based on her transcript. She smiled, happy that her daughter would not have this brick on her shoulders while graduating.

Rory knew what she would tell Logan tomorrow. She just had one question: "Mom, are you okay with what I've decided?"

"I'm happy if you're happy. That's all I care about. I trust you. You've always made smart decisions, for the most part. I will always love you and respect any decision you make."

Rory smiled. All she needed was closure from her mom. Lorelai was her mother, but also her closest friend. She had to know if she would be in accordance with what Rory would be telling Logan tomorrow. She knew that her mother's experiences with Logan had not been all good or all bad. Regardless, Lorelai was on her side, and that's all Rory wanted.

Lorelai walked onto the grassy lawn at Yale University. Christopher emerged from the parking lot, just in front of Richard and Emily. They all looked a tad uncomfortable, no doubt the events from the previous evening weighing on their minds. As they neared, Lorelai could see they were somewhat expectant, hoping Lorelai could shed some light on the situation. Lorelai did not bring it up, preferring they find out when Logan did.

The Gilmores and Christopher went to find their seats, but Lorelai hung back to scour the parking lot. She saw Sookie and Jackson, children free. She gave them a wave and pointed them towards their seats. But Lorelai was looking for someone else. She had invited Luke. After all, he had been there for Rory since she was a kid, and he saw her graduate high school. It was only fair he got to see this, too. Plus, it was important to Rory. And to Lorelai. Especially Lorelai.

Just as she was about to give up and join her family, she saw the infamous green pick-up truck; the same truck that had carted Rory's belongings to and from Yale when she was a freshman. Luke had even grudgingly toted the mattress for all the trips before finally helping to dispose of it. Lorelai waited for him to exit the truck. When he did, his hair was slicked back, sans baseball cap. He was wearing one of his few suits—a stone gray color with a pale pink, almost white, collared button-down peeking out from the lapels. His shoes had been newly shined, she noted, as he approached her.

"Thanks for coming, Luke. Rory will be so happy." And I'm kind of happy, too.

"Yep, no problem. Anything for Rory," he said. Anything for you.

They walked silently to the aisle seats Lorelai had arrived early for. As she settled in, she saw the spiked blonde hair of Logan Huntzberger, sitting two rows in front of the group, chatting amicably with friends. She sighed, knowing that he was putting on a brave face, even though he was hurting inside. Lorelai hoped that he would be able to keep it together after the ceremony.

Rory's fan club, sitting in the third row, watched patiently as the first six letters of the alphabet made their way across the stage. They knew when Paris was called that Rory was next. They all sat a little taller. Lorelai saw Logan, who had been whispering to friends, stop talking and look up expectantly.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore." They had used her real name, which brought tears to the eyes of all the Gilmores and Christopher. Sookie was a mess, and Jackson was thankfully tearless so she could be comforted. Lorelai looked over and saw a somewhat melted version of Luke. She knew his body language was how he communicated his emotions and it touched her heart that Rory meant so much to him.

Rory walked proudly across the stage, accepted her diploma with a firm handshake, and scoured the crowd for her family. She gave them a thumbs-up, and then she saw Logan. She had almost forgotten about what she had to tell him.

When the graduation was over, Lorelai went to find Rory. She eyed Logan, who seemed to hang back, waiting for the right time. She found Rory near the parking lot. They embraced as Lorelai dried more tears. "I'm so proud of you hon," Lorelai said.

"Thanks mom. For everything."

Lorelai knew she was referring to how she had raised Rory from the tender age of sixteen, supported her in every way possible, and surrounded her with good people. Lorelai sniffed back more tears at this statement. She took Rory by the shoulders. "Okay. Your grandparents, Sookie, Jackson, Dad, Luke, and I are heading back to Stars Hollow. Luke's making lunch. You'll meet us there?"

"Yeah. Is dad okay with Luke being here?" asked Rory.

Lorelai shrugged. "It's not like we're dating. We're friends. And Luke is a part of our lives. Your dad and I are just friends, too. There shouldn't be any hard feelings, and your dad wouldn't make it obvious. Today is your day."

"Okay," Rory said uneasily, seeing Logan lingering under a tree, waiting for Lorelai to leave.

Lorelai noticed him as well and looked back to Rory. "Just do it babe."

Rory gave her mom a final hug and watched her walk a ways to the car before meeting Logan. She finally walked towards him, and he met her half way. "So how does it feel, Ace? You're a college grad now," Logan said, trying to break into this.

"It feels...weird," said Rory, wanting to get to the heart of the discussion.

"Yeah. So…shall we?" asked Logan who was gesturing towards a bench that was away from the busy graduation site. Rory nodded and followed him.

When they were comfortably seated, Logan waited for Rory to say her piece. "Logan, I've given this a lot of thought."

"Did you make a pro/con list?" he said with a smirk.

"How did you—"

"Ace, just because we may or may not be getting married, it doesn't mean I know or love you any less. And trust me, I know you."

Rory's expression softened. She could tell he was doing some final convincing before the verdict. "Logan, before I tell you what I decided I want to really talk to you."

"I'm all ears," he said.

"Good. Logan, I love you and I know you love me, too. You somehow won over my mom, despite the history with her, and my grandparents wouldn't mind the joining of the Gilmores and Huntzbergers. My dad thinks you're a respectable guy, and Luke has given you a grudging seal of approval. You've covered my family. My friends like you because you also managed to weasel your way into my heart, and get me to do other things besides study and read. So when I tell you my decision, it is mine and mine alone, disregarding any consideration for how this affects those closest to us, because I know what they all think and want my answer to be."

"She said 'us.' I like the sound of that," thought Logan.

"You do know that I don't have a great track record with your family. They won't support this, other than the societal benefit of the joining of our last names, and that would be a major strain on our marriage. But I love your sister."

Logan had to laugh. That was his Ace.

"But we're so young, Logan. I appreciate how ready you are for this. A house, a job, a life. But there is so much to see out there. How do I know you'll up and follow me as an international correspondent? You're always going to have some affiliation with your dad and I don't know how that works for my career."

Logan put up his hand. "Ace, if I may…"

She nodded, tired of talking.

"First off, I love you, too. I love that you took so much time and really thought about this. It's not what most girls would have done. But then again, you're not most girls, and that is why I asked you to marry me. You're there when I want to go out on a whim, or when I am dragged off to another country for business. I'm willing to deal with all of it; the societal pretenses, the business dinners, the 'up and going' when you say the word. I just want you. I need you."

Rory was on the verge of tears.

"I want to see the world, too. We don't have to settle down just yet. The only thing I want settled is whether or not I will have you in my life forever, as a guarantee." Logan was on his knees again, a repeat of last night. "Ace, I'm begging you."

Rory had said what she wanted to say. She could see her and Logan were on the same page about the future, and she had known since the pro/con car ride what her answer would be. She just needed to lay it down for Logan.

Finally, she said, "Why are you begging me, Logan? My answer is yes, no convincing needed."

His mouth remained slightly parted. He froze on his knees, already in a perfect position to do what he had wanted to do last night. "What?" he said in disbelief.

Rory shook her head and laughed. "I said YES!"

Logan fumbled in his pocket, where the velvet box was waiting anxiously to know its fate. He brought it out, and Rory held her breath. As he opened it, he said, "Rory Gilmore, will you marry me?" Even though she had already said yes, he wanted it to be done right.

"Yes," she gasped quietly, as she saw the ring. It was a perfectly thin silver band, with two smaller diamonds flanking a larger one in the center. It was simple and elegant and perfect. He slid it on her finger and then gently got off the ground. He sat on the bench, still holding her glistening hand and he leaned in slowly. Their kiss solidified a beautiful moment in the course of their lives.

Logan and Rory drove to Stars Hollow, all smiles. They entered Luke's nonchalantly, Rory holding her hand behind Logan's back so as not to ruin the surprise. Rory only shared a knowing glance with her mother, who suppressed a smile.

Luke was in the back cooking, so it was Christopher, Lorelai, and the Gilmores drinking coffee and waiting to hear about the budding young couple. Logan and Rory sat down, entering the awkward silence. Logan and Rory shared a look.

"Okay, we know you all want to hear about my answer," said Rory. They all looked at her and feigned innocence, saying they had no idea what she was talking about. Logan and Rory rolled their eyes.

"She said yes," said Logan. Everyone looked up from their coffees, just as Luke was bringing out the plates. With all eyes on her, Rory slowly brought her hand out from the safety of Logan's cover and held it out for them all to see the ring.

Emily was the first to speak. "Oh my god, this is wonderful! Richard, isn't it wonderful?" she said, ecstatic. Richard agreed with his wife, with a mere fraction of the pomp, although he was quite happy. Lorelai smiled and eyed Christopher who was surprised, but allowed Logan to shake his hand. Luke looked equally as stunned, the first piece of common ground he had ever found with Christopher. He shook Logan's hand as well.

Of course, when Rory allowed her grandmother to scrutinize the ring, who should walk by the diner but none other than Miss Patty. She stopped in her tracks, her presence unbeknownst to the jubilant crowd. She looked from their happy faces to Rory's hand and then to the "dashing" young man standing next to Rory. She put it all together, and ran towards Babette's house as fast as she could.

A/N: Hey guys. So this is a fanfic I have been working on for 4 years now. I have about half of it written, but only just decided to upload the first few chapters. It seems like an idea that has been done before, another Rogan, but the family dynamics and circumstances to come are completely unique, and a good read, I think, if you're willing to give it a chance. Please, please review. I'd love to know what avid fans think. Thanks!