So while mid-40's wasn't exactly warm weather, the sun was out and that was pretty much all a California woman living on the East Coast could ask for. Their days thus far had been utterly blissful, a kind of blissed-out feeling of ease had set into Rory's bones. Before their trip, she hadn't even really been paying much attention to her own stress levels or how run down she was becoming. But leave it to her fiancée, the perfect woman that she was, to know when Rory was pushing herself and needed a reprieve. She couldn't ask for a better person in her life, she couldn't ask for someone to love her more or to love with her whole being like this. Their trip to New York was perfectly timed and, it gave her the opportunity to put into action something that had been on her mind for a long while.

Rory remembered the first time she'd been in this library, and the nostalgia hit her strongly. At the time, eleven years old, she had never been in a library so big, and her mother lost her for a good twenty minutes. She'd gotten into a lot of trouble for wandering off. Worth it. "I got lost here once." She told Maris as they walked into the big building, with giant staircases sweeping up to floors filled with a favorite of theirs: books. "I think it was fairly close to a time my mom almost actually spanked me." She laughed, keeping hold of Maris' hand as they wandered in.

Despite the cold, Rory was just in jeans and a lilac sweater beneath her black leather jacket, and she'd left a hat at home, being a little vain for a moment. But delightfully full of pasta and a glass of lunchtime wine, she barely felt the cold one bit. Rory paused as they ascended to the second floor, glancing around a bit. For a Friday, it wasn't entirely packed, though she wasn't entirely sure how busy the library got on a daily basis. Tourist traps were kind of lost on her, and it was a working library anyway.

"Are we finding Keats? Austen? Woolf? Wandering around until we find some empty stacks to make out in?" She shot Maris a cheeky grin, squeezing her hand as she kept her close.

"Did you?" Maris asked, a faint smile playing on her lips as she imagined it. "That tracks. It's a wonder she ever got you out of here."

It may not have been freezing but Maris was still a bit chilly as she took off her belted puffer coat and shoved her free hand into the pocket of her tapered, gray plaid trousers, a ribbed black turtleneck completing the look.

"Ooh, the last option, please," she teased, reaching for Rory to playfully bring her in closer. After she pressed a kiss to her fiancee's temple, she made a bit of a face. "Honestly? You can take the lead on this one. I'm in the middle of a book drought so I have no idea what to look for. I've stopped and started The Power like four times? I like it. The concept's great and Naomi's a fine writer, but it's one of those books that switches narrators every chapter? And with so many characters I just end going, Wait, which one is Amanda? and having to go back. But I sort of lucked out because I just read they're doing a TV show so I guess I'll just wait for that."

Good luck or not, Maris didn't sound entirely happy about it. She was after all, the sort of person who insisted on reading the source material before starting a movie or series, but sometimes taking the easy way out couldn't be helped.

She hadn't been able to have a real conversation with her dad about his beloved Lord of the Rings until the movies came out, which meant they were one adaptation she was incredibly grateful for. Even if she thought even the movies were a bit too long.

"I could have ended up a little book troll, living in the stacks, growling at people to respect the pages of old books. Actually, I think I missed my calling." She grinned, bumping Maris' shoulder with her own.

Playful as it was, Rory didn't resist in the slightest being brought closer into Maris' orbit. In fact, she rarely ever thought they could get too close. "Oh, we need to get inspired, and quickly. I can't have you in a drought too long. Though, come to think of it I haven't actually even tried to read The Power?" She pondered for a moment, before tugging Maris towards a sign that boasted the collection of English and American literature. "You know how I like to be elitist and read the book first, though." Ah the oh so rare times she ever actually thought a film or show was better than whatever book inspired it.

The ones she thought were better on screen, she probably could have counted on less than her fingers. But those fingers were currently completely occupied laced with Maris'. She gave her hand a little squeeze, her eyes darting around the place as they explored different rooms, finding a school trip she quickly subverted by ducking into another wing. "Oh," She smiled wide, seeing a sign just down the hall. Her heart beat a little faster, like fate was telling her something. She hoped her palms weren't sweaty. "Rare book division?"

"True, but it might have been a little tougher for me to find you and we can't have that."

The path they had taken to finally end up together had been an admittedly rocky one. They'd handled it well enough for Maris to think they probably could have have handled anything thrown at them, but she wasn't about to tempt fate when she knew just how mundane without Rory could be.

"Sure," Maris said with a bit of a shrug. "Lead the way, Hermione."

She didn't pick up on any strange vibes on Rory's end, writing off the other woman's sweaty palms as the result of coming in from the cold to a nice, toasty library. She occasionally wondered if Rory was as nervous about telling her father about their engagement as she was about telling Rory's family, but she also secretly thought the stakes were a little less high on her end. John's blessing was practically a given. Maris had (re)entered their relationship with much less at stake.

"No, I already waited long enough to find you." She almost mentioned twice, but Rory figured that was implied. Rory might have been an admitted romantic, but even then, the idea of soulmates or finding one person for yourself seemed absurd even to a younger version of Rory. She'd said it before, but that was all fodder for romance novels ... not that she was above those, naturally.

What she had found in Maris was, for lack of a better way to put it, her person. She didn't have to be perfect, nor did Maris for that matter - as perfection was a whimsical idea at best. They were instead perfect for each other. A match that she couldn't have even tried to replicate with someone else - and thus had actually gone so far as to find the polar opposite. Looking back at those dark years as they called them, Rory almost didn't recognize herself. On the surface she portrayed one thing, but she was deeply unhappy, unsettled in a way she didn't even realize until she was out of it, and breathing in the kind of freedom being wildly, passionately, depth-of-the-soul in love gave her.

"You've got me there." She chuckled, biting at the corner of her lip as they wandered down the hall. Her thumb idly brushed against Maris' as they walked into the room, a giant smile lighting up her features as she stepped in. "This is where my mom ultimately found me, if you can believe it." She grinned, leading Maris into the room. There was an older woman at one of the desks, a badge showing she worked there, and a couple of students with headphones in apparently studying. With no one up on the top landing, she gave Maris a nudge and led her up the stairs. With every stair they took, her heart was beating a little faster and she knew she was being ridiculous. And this was probably absurd, but. Well. Things had to be done.

"So um, I've actually got something to ask you." She started, her voice a little shaky which just annoyed her. She pulled Maris towards a corner, where books stared at them from behind glass walls, but seemed to be their only audience. "And I've been thinking about how to ask you and where would be appropriate and then just getting in my head about things being perfect or things being ... I dunno ... important to us. But a trivia night seemed too showy. And home was, well, pretty perfect if you ask me. Thanks for that." She was giving it away a little now, but forged ahead, taking both of Maris' hands in hers. "But then I thought, when we went to the library a couple weeks ago like. Oh. Yeah. This is part of what bonded us to begin with. That you and I are total dorks about books ... yes, me more so most of the time but you love me anyway so no take backs." She grinned, emotion coloring her words as she looked at Maris. "I know you already asked me ... so I have a pretty good idea of how this is gonna go. But I thought it was really only right that I ask you, too." Rory swallowed hard then, and let go of one of Maris' hands so she could mirror the image that Maris had weeks ago. She was on one knee, feeling kind of absurd to be doing this in a library but at the same time ... that's why it felt kind of right. She squeezed Maris' hand, clutching to her tightly as she dug into her jacket pocket and opened a small box she'd been fiddling with all day, revealing the ring inside. "Maris Forrester. Will you marry me and be my wife?"

Maris remained oblivious as they headed upstairs, doing her best to climb them as gracefully as possible in some slightly impractical high heeled winter boots.

She took a quick look around once they reached the top, but didn't have much of a chance to survey what the shelves had to offer.

She gave Rory a slightly confused look when she had a question for her, but nodded for her to continue.

She probably should have figured out what question was coming sooner, but the realization didn't hit until Rory mentioned their night at home. Most evenings spent with Rory were memorable, but there was one she couldn't seem to stop thinking about. One that would always be a little more special than any other.

Her hands started to sweat as Rory grabbed hold. "Rory," she said through slightly gritted teeth as the other woman got down on one knee. Her tone of voice bordered on scolding, even though the last thing she wanted Rory to do was stop.

She just needed to say or do something, grasp at some semblance of control when her heart felt like it was going to burst right out of her chest.

It was pounding hard enough that she could hear it in her ears which was frustrating when all she wanted to do was listen to and memorize every last word her fiancee had to say but... she managed. Even if she couldn't manage to speak.

She nodded eagerly, struck dumb when the box came out and popped open, though her eyes never really left Rory's face.

"Yes," she said after a beat, uncharacteristically soft spoken as she felt a few tears start to slide down her cheeks. "Of course it's a yes, now get up!"

It felt like a blur, and yet sharp through the blur around them. Rory had a million other things to say, but all of them fell away as her own tears welled in her eyes and eventually spilled down her cheeks. She had pictured a moment like this one for so long, but now actually experiencing it felt ... unreal.

Rory had never asked someone to marry her before. It felt entirely right that she waited to do it with Maris.

Seeing Maris' reaction was as relieving as it was thrilling. She was beaming a huge grin as Maris nodded, letting out a kind of gasp in the form of releasing air trapped in her lungs. "Yes!" She exclaimed, being slightly louder than she meant to, but not enough to draw the ire of those downstairs.

Rory stood up and immediately grabbed for Maris' face to pull her in for a deep kiss. She kissed her without care of where they were or even if they'd drawn any attention at all. She was so happy, more so than she had any right to be. "I love you so much, Maris." She murmured against her lips, grinning all the while. "You're really stuck with me now." She laughed, drawing back enough to lift up the box to show Maris the ring a little better.

"Is it okay? And I know this might have been a little cheesy of a place but ... well, you know who you're marrying."

"Of course it's a yes!" she repeated, but her words were (probably mercifully, given her current volume) swallowed up by another kiss.

Then came the ring. She'd told Rory she didn't care about getting one and for the most part, that was true. The fact that her fiancee had agreed to marry her and wear the one she'd given her was more than enough to make Maris one of the happiest women on the planet, but she did want one. She just didn't realize quite how much until it was right there in front of her.

Was it any surprise Rory had chosen well? The other woman knew her better than anyone else. The ring was simple, yet elegant, featuring stones in her favorite color. And best of all...

"It sort of looks like yours," Maris said fondly, reaching out to trace the row of black stones with her fingertip. "The way the diamonds and sapphires go around the band."

And yet it was entirely her style, not to mention the design was practical enough not to snag every sweater she came in contact with.

"It's perfect. It's all perfect," she assured Rory, pulling her in for another kiss.

Rory couldn't stop grinning even as they kissed, her eyes still wet as she clung to her fiancee a moment longer. When Rory was trying to find the right moment or the right place for this, she wondered if it was even something she should have been doing or if Maris would like it.

In the end, she wanted to ask her. In the end, she wanted them both to have the moment of entering into their engagement after being asked. She was sort of spoiled - she knew what the answer would be, but that didn't make the moment feel any less at all. Hearing those words made her whole being sing.

"It does, doesn't it?" She smiled softly, studying Maris' features as she took in the ring. She had agonized over exactly what she wanted, most rings were gaudy, or too big. Most had a ring that was set outside the stone and she just couldn't imagine Maris wanting one of those. She'd seen a ring similar to this one with white diamonds in it, and then done her research on the black diamonds she'd ultimately picked to recreate the ring but with her own changes.

Rory smiled into the kiss, taking her time with this one and kissing her deeply, one arm around her waist as she felt her lungs begin to burn for reprieve. "You wanna wear it?" She asked breathlessly once their lips parted, a wide smile on her face as she took Maris' left hand in hers. "I haven't been able to stop thinking how it would look on your finger since I got it."

"Of course I want to wear it," Maris said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, but even she couldn't ignore the way her hand shook a little as she held it out for her

Something about Rory sliding the ring onto her finger and seeing the way it looked perched there made everything seem real. Maris' eyes were immediately awash with a fresh set of tears, the sort that had her, inadvertently taking a step backward, seep into the stacks where no one could see her emotions or this moment, which belonged to them and them alone.

It wasn't like asking Rory didn't count for something. It meant everything. Her fiancee wasn't the only one who had gotten engaged that day. Maris had become Rory's and made the same promise the moment she said yes, but something about this seemed different. Like everything really was reciprocated and they had come full circle.

Maris had a ring on her finger, a constant reminder that she was going to be someone's wife.

Rory's wife. It was surreal. And not just because she had spent so long arguing about how marriage was unnecessary and believing she didn't want it.

She didn't. In any other circumstances with anyone else, she didn't, but with Rory...

She needed it to happen.

She had never been big on jewelry. She kept her ears pierced, but only bothered to put in earrings on special occasions (which usually meant a painful ten minute long struggle to push them through nearly closed holes). She didn't have some special ring she never took off. She didn't even have a box of inexpensive costume ones, accessories to throw on when an outfit needed a little extra something.

But she already knew this one wouldn't take any getting used to. She wouldn't take it off the moment she got home like she had with the few she'd tried to wear over the years. It would become a constant. A part of her overall style, just as Maris as her short hair or penchant for dark colors.

She looked at it again, smiling even though she knew she was acting like one of those women she used to make fun of. A ring shouldn't have made her so happy, but it did. And not just because it was pretty or told everyone someone cared enough about her to take her off the market.

It was from her and now she knew that a ring could mean so much more.

"Well, you didn't pull a Dani so that's good," she said dryly, making a joke about how Rory managed to choose a ring that fit to deflect from how emotional she felt, though the fact that she swiped at her eyes a moment before was probably a dead giveaway.

Rory's cheeks were probably going to go numb by how widely she was smiling, but she couldn't even attempt to screw the look from her face. Maris was going to be her wife. Okay, they had established that several weeks ago, but it felt different now that they both had asked the question, and both had answered exactly how they had hoped. Rory didn't really have any doubt, and knew even as Maris had spilled out her feelings in her proposal, that she was going to say yes after the first breath.

Her own tears spilled down her cheeks again as she settled the ring onto Maris' finger. "Wow." She said almost to herself, breathless as she saw it sitting there, where she had no doubt it would stay. Her own had just become a part of her, really. She caught a glimpse of it throughout her day and her heart did a flip.

Rory followed her steps into the stacks, a soft smile on her face as she gathered Maris in her arms and kissed her temple and then her cheeks. She just sort of held her for a few moments, gently rocking as she beamed a smile and kissed her again.

It went almost without saying, just how desperately in love with this woman she was. They were going to get married, and that was twice as solidified now. Maris was her person, the love of her life. Nobody else could give her as much as Maris did, with every day they shared with each other.

For the briefest moment, Rory had to think back to some younger version of herself, who maybe didn't think that she'd find someone like this. Who maybe didn't think that she'd live in a world where she could get married. Who always wondered if the 'other'-ness that came with her sexuality meant that she'd be in for a lifetime of disappointment. If she could only tell that younger self what she knew now. Every heartache, every painful moment and struggle she'd had were so. damn. worth it.

"Oh thank god for that. I have actual taste. And I actually have a fiancee worthy of the whole goddamn world so. I had to pick something worthy of her." She grinned, kissing her softly before she pulled back just enough to look down at her hand again. "God I am so unbelievably in love with you." She breathed her words, cupping Maris' face in her cheeks and kissing her again.

"I love you too," Maris said softly, letting her back hit the nearest shelf before pulling Rory in for another kiss. Birthday outings aside (and she could hardly be blamed for getting a little carried away in that case), they both knew she wasn't big on public displays of affection. It was strange, having such a big, intimate moment in such a public place, but it didn't feel public.

Time slowed like it knew this was a moment to be remembered.

Maris kissed Rory the same way she'd kissed her in her living room. It was charged with excitement but above all, it was tender, sweet in a way she didn't always allow herself to be. Even with the woman she was sharing it with.

Although there was no denying she'd softened a bit since their first time around.

Showing no signs of stopping, she slipped her hands into the back pockets of Rory's jeans in an effort to keep her close, murmuring her name before their mouths came together again.

In the list of things that would never get old, hearing those words from Maris always, always thrilled her to hear. Of course she knew they loved each other, desperately so, but every time she heard it from Maris, she felt like her heart was swelling in her chest. Add to the list, she knew hearing and saying the word wife would rise up high on that list very quickly. This was their moment of both, this commitment they were making to each other that she wouldn't ever tire of thinking about.

Rory didn't hesitate in the slightest as she eased into the kiss from Maris, her hands curling in the fabric of her shirt at her sides to keep her in close. Her tongue swept over hers, and yet again, there was no hurried movement, no big worry that they were going to be interrupted. Not up here, and not in the stacks where they could get away with a little semi-private display of affection.

Her hands slid around Maris' waist, keeping her in close as she kissed her until her lungs felt like they might burst. "You're gonna be my wife." She hummed against her lips, beaming such a big grin that it was any wonder she could pause in kissing her long enough to show her one. Rory leaned into Maris' embrace, kissing her lips and then the side of her neck just because. She just had to stop herself from really celebrating the way she wanted to because again... public. But god was it tempting.

"I am," she purred, letting their noses brush before resting her forehead against hers. Her lips twitched into a smile. "But I asked you first." Proposing was hardly a competition, but she couldn't resist making the joke when they were so competitive about nearly everything else.

She couldn't help but wonder what happened next. She knew what she wanted to. She was just as tempted as Rory to give in. There was really only one way to celebrate their engagement at this point. She'd run out of words. She wanted to show Rory just how happy she was and how much she cared for her but the library was hardly the place for what was bound to be an intense, excruciatingly intimate moment.

And yet, she was sort of scared to leave it, even for the comfort and privacy of their hotel. She was half afraid this moment was sort of elaborate day dream that would fade away once they ventured out into a world that included more than the two of them.

Even if she'd get to have her the way she wanted.

She kissed her again, smiling as she traced her cheek with her thumb. "See, I feel like we should leave but that also means some level of good behavior until I get you behind closed doors..."

Her wife. Rory was so in love with that idea alone, and she knew completely that she was going to exhaust the term. If that were even possible. Their journey had been bumpy - at times more than others - but they had ended up right here, right where they were supposed to be. Planning to spend the rest of their lives together. The overly romantic part of her figured even that wasn't enough time.

This trip to New York had given her the perfect opportunity to just seize the moment when it happened. The library was completely dorky, but very much them. The only problem really was that they weren't entirely private. The idea of huge public proposals like the ones at sports games or in big crowds made her cringe. It was so performative in a way that she never was. This was for them, just as Maris' proposal had been.

Rory kissed her deeply, her whole body leaning heavily into Maris' as she slid her arms around her waist. She hummed a soft sound into her lips, warmth spreading through her body as she held her. Even as she pulled back to part for breath, she didn't stay far away long, instead staying close enough to press soft kisses to her lips in quick, gentle succession. God she wished they were alone.

"Mm, you have a good point." She murmured softly, bowing her head just enough to brush her lips against the heel of Maris' hand. "I am not good at behaving myself." She chuckled softly, taking Maris' hand and holding it for a moment so she could see the ring on her finger. Yeah, that definitely wasn't going to get old. "I think we need to go." She finally concluded, leaning in a bit closer so her lips could brush over Maris' cheek. "I don't trust myself not to make a scene, and let's leave getting arrested to some kind of role play." She shot a wicked grin at Maris before she gave her one more kiss.

Pulling away however reluctantly, Rory clung tightly to Maris' hand as she led them back down the stairs, in search of their nearest exit. She couldn't help the smile that beamed from her all the while.

They made it out of the library and into a taxi easily enough, but the stop and go traffic was nearly enough for Maris to consider hopping right back out to walk the handful of blocks back to their hotel on foot.

But it was nice to sit and rest while her head was still spinning from what had happened moments before. Once she'd clipped her seat belt into place, Maris reached for Rory's hand, slowly lacing their fingers together. Their rings complimented each other well, each sparkling ever so faintly in the afternoon sun which meant she couldn't resist bringing their joined hands up to press a kiss to Rory's.

While a naturally brisk walker (even by native New Yorker standards) Maris basically hoofed it through the lobby, never letting go of Rory even though they occasionally had to weave their way through clusters of tourists pulling those annoying wheely luggage bags. She didn't realize quite how fast she was going until they reached their door, needing a moment to catch her breath as she patted her pockets for their key card.

Rory's smile barely left her face throughout the handful of minutes that it took them to get back to their hotel. Even in the cab, it felt like they were barely concealing this great big secret - though the rings on their fingers meant it really wasn't a secret at all. Suddenly Rory really couldn't wait for them to see Maris' father, particularly now that she had Maris' seal of approval on the ring she'd chosen.

But they had a while yet, and plenty of celebrating to do right now. Or as soon as the cab actually made it near enough for them to get out of the car. Through the ride, Rory's gaze rarely left Maris, taking any opportunity to kiss her temple, or her cheek, and once on the lips before she realized that kissing her lips would too easily drive her crazy. She'd pulled back with a soft grunt, enough that Maris would know how difficult it was for her to break away.

Mercifully they made it to the hotel, and Rory couldn't help but laugh as Maris hurried her through. She was softly giggling by the time they reached the door, as she bowed her head to kiss Maris' shoulder. "Babe." She hummed the word, remembering where Maris had put the key. She reached into her fiancée's front pocket, taking a little extra care to brush the heel of her hand just against the hem of her pants so she'd brush just against her skin. "I really should have done the whole proposal thing here, huh?" She smirked and kissed her neck before she slipped the key into the lock and pushed it open once it blinked green.

Maris teeth sank into her lower lip as Rory's hand slid upward, immediately craving the feeling of both all over her, with no barriers between but once the door unlocked she knew she (probably) wouldn't have to wait for long.

Rory could have asked her in the disgusting gas station bathroom (desperate times called for desperate measures, especially after downing very large coffees on very long roadtrips) they'd stopped at along the way and she still would have said yes.

But Maris didn't tell Rory that and not just because she had a feeling she already knew.

Her body was more than ready to tell Rory everything she wanted to say.

She wordlessly shrugged off her coat, letting it hit the carpet with a satisfying plop before pulling her fiancee in with a devilish grin.

"We're meeting my dad at five," she said, gripping the lapels of Rory's leather jacket. "How many times do you think we can make each other come before then?"

With the key inserted, she couldn't get the door open fast enough, and nearly stumbled as they stepped over the threshold together. Rory grinned as she helped the door shut even quicker with the heel of her foot letting her hands drop from Maris so she could shed her jacket off. She was usually more careful with her clothes, but it was tossed unceremoniously towards the closet.

Maris was hers. And she was Maris'. They were engaged and now twice over. It felt incredible, a high that Rory had never known before but god, it didn't disappoint. She had been so worried in her 'i want everything to be perfect' mentality, but she realized now she didn't need to be. Maris loved her, and god, did she love Maris with her whole heart.

Rory didn't hesitate one bit as Maris drew her back in, a wicked grin of her own taking shape across her face as she slid her hands to Maris' hips. "Oh at least twice. and that's being conservative." She murmured, leaning in and kissing her deeply. Her hands slid up beneath Maris' shirt, her palms trailing across her bare skin as a soft sound came from her, drowned against Maris' lips.

Maris backed up until she could sit on the end of the bed, pulling the other woman into her lap with a bit of a laugh once she got settled, making sure, Rory's hands could stay exactly where they were.

Well, for a few moments anyway. Soon, she was feeling the urge to push Rory's off jacket her shoulders, grabbing a hold of her hand once it joined hers on the floor.

She brought her wrist to her lips, then pressed a few kisses to her palm, stopping for a moment to take in the sight of her ring perched on Rory's finger. She'd caught herself staring at it at least once a day since she'd given it to her, but she'd never really been so blatant about it before.

But was there really any better time now that she had one of her own?

"We're really doing this, huh?" she said softly, the mood shifting, if only for a moment as their foreheads came together and she gave her an almost chaste kiss.

Madly in love had to be some kind of understatement for what she and Maris had together. Rory loved Maris in a way that was both wild and controlled, both unpredictable and the safest thing she had ever experienced in her life. She loved her completely, and now would have the chance to marry her.

Rory giggled as she sat in Maris' lap, straddling the other woman as she brought her hand up further beneath her shirt, teasing at the clasp of her bra until she finally just unhooked it. Save time.

Her fingers traced along Maris' chin as she found her whole arm going warm thanks to those soft kisses to her wrist. It gave her pause, not for any negative reason, but rather to savor this moment.

"We're really doing this." Rory answered with a nod, her words soft, breathless even as she felt like she was holding hers. "You're going to be my wife." She said softly, closing yer eyes for a moment before she detangled her hand from under Maris' shirt and came to cup her face. \

"God I love you." Her words sort of all ran together as she leaned in and kissed her deeply, the suggestion of her words carrying her over to tip them both backwards on the bed. Bracing one hand on the bed next to Maris, she continued to kiss her, her tongue sliding against hers as she clung a little tighter.

Wife. It was a word she never used or even thought of very often, especially in relation to herself. A younger version of Maris wouldn't have believed she was going to end up one (or that she had been the one who made the initial proposal), but the current one couldn't get enough of hearing it.

Even if (or probably because) her heart raced every time she heard it.

Her kisses were hungry, twinged with a need to be as close as they could possibly manage as her hands slowly but confidently slid up her body, stopping to grip her hips as their tongues met, earning Rory a little sigh. Taking Rory's hand, she slid it back down her body again, placing it under her shirt, the bra, like it had been moments before. Their kisses were causing her nipples to harden, but she mostly wanted Rory to feel how fast her heart was starting to beat.

Rory never got too deeply into the cutesy pet names like a lot of her friends had. They joked about those old ones V&V used for each other, but Rory usually settled on some classics, an intimate familiarity to calling Maris hers in whatever way felt natural at the time. No shnookums or bae that might make her cringe to varying degrees. But she already knew just saying wife right now, she would use that more than even the ones she did use on the daily. It felt overwhelming to say, and even more so to think about in earnest. Maris was going to be her wife. Whatever pain and heartache they'd had throughout their relationship, they came back to each other. That was entirely special.

Rory's breath became increasingly heavy as the heady desire (and intensity of their kisses) took hold. She hummed a soft sound as Maris guided her hand, breaking away just enough to catch her breath -- and catch Maris' gaze. "Babe," She huffed the word like it was reverent, her fingertips over Maris' heart while her palm made a point to smooth over her breast. She didn't say anything else, didn't feel like she needed to, but emotion caught in her throat. The way she loved this woman was not only physical, mental, spiritual -- it was absolutely everything. She was everything.

Rory's hand squeezed her breast, moaning softly as she crushed her lips back to Maris' in a needy kiss. Her hips canted towards the other woman, spurred on as desire readily pooled between her legs. She only took her hands away in order to gather Maris' shirt in her hands, pulling it off as quickly as she could and tossing it to the floor, her bra tossed away next. Her hands were right back to where they had been, squeezing Maris' breasts with another moan drowned into her lips.

Maris ached to be touched. The feel of Rory's hands gripping her breasts only made her want more and to be able to touch her in kind. But pulling off her fiancee's sweater (which,her lips couldn't help but twitch into the faintest of smiles against Rory's as she realized for the first time that the other woman was wearing purple and just how sort of fitting it was that she was wearing her favorite color on such a good day) meant that Rory would have to take her hands away and Maris wasn't ready for that just yet.

It felt too good. Everything about this moment felt good. Right in a way that was almost overwhelming.

She reached down to unbutton Rory's jeans, her hands firm, sure but in no rush because she suddenly knew the answer to her current dilemma.

And just how she wanted to be pleased when she needed her close and couldn't even think about parting, let alone taking turns.

Maris slowly spread her legs once she got Rory's pants off as far as she could, knowing she would take off (and figure out) the rest without her needing to say a single word.

It only made sense that they would get themselves home (wherever that was thanks to their trip) and into each others' arms after such a monumental moment. Rory had been kind of worried that her proposal might not feel as special or necessary because they were already engaged. She was so glad she had been very wrong about that. She was going to share her life with this stunning, stellar woman who now wore the ring she'd chosen for her. Her whole body felt warm, buzzing with anticipation as her hands squeezed Maris' breasts, her thumbs rolling over her nipples.

Rory felt like she was going to be on the brink of tears for the rest of the day. Emotions were right at the surface, overwhelming her as they kissed, as she thought about what their future really was. But she wasn't blubbering, just flushed and happy.

"Hang on," She huffed against Maris' lips, breathless with a grin as she reluctantly stood up to shove her pants and underwear to the floor, kicking them off with her shoes. Her lips felt swollen but in that aching to be back to Maris'. Standing bare in front of her once she'd gotten her bra off, she reached for Maris' pants, making quick work of getting them off. "There," She breathed harshly to get rid of a stray lock of hair that had fallen across her face.

A moment later, she was back in Maris' lap, her arms circling around the woman and dragging her fingers through her hair as she kissed her deeply.

Maris propped herself up on her elbows to watch Rory undress for her. It was a sight that never got old, which made it even harder to believe there had been a time when she had to go without it.

She promised herself she'd never let Rory slip through her fingers again even before she proposed, but now she knew she wouldn't. Neither of them were going to let that happen.

It was a thought that was emotional as it was comforting, but like her fiancee, Maris was doing her best to reign her emotions in.

She didn't really have words for them, yet another reason why they'd needed to end up in bed as quickly as they could manage it.

She slid up on the bed a bit before Rory joined her, not wanting them to be so precariously perched on the end, but immediately lost herself in their kisses, breathless by the time they had to come up for air.

"Make love to me," she murmured before kissing her again, deeper than before.

The words probably sounded strange coming from her lips and she felt a bit shy when she said it, wondering if Rory would find it corny. It was a phrase Maris usually hated. Whenever someone said it on tv or in a film, her eyes automatically rolled. It was saccharine, syrupy sweet. It conjured very bland, vanilla images of heterosexual couples having very slow, very talky sex that didn't look remotely satisfying.

But there was no other way to describe what she wanted.

Maris didn't want to fuck Rory. She wanted to show her how much she loved her. She wanted to feel how much she loved her too.

It was more than sex. It always had been from the moment they started up again.

Which is why it felt more than good. Being with Rory had always felt right.

Rory had entirely lost track of how many times she and Maris had been together. Even trying to quantify the number when they were younger would have been impossible. But no matter how many times they were exactly like this or any variation of it, Rory would still feel knocked breathless when she looked at Maris naked and ready for her.

The very image and experience altogether sent heat racing through her body, a soft sound caught at the back of her throat as she moved over the other woman. She loved the way they kissed, how they fit together so perfectly.

The phrase was not lost on her, nor was how important it was that Maris chose them. Rory smiled wide, her forearms resting on the bed with her fingers reaching up to brush through Maris' hair. "I love you." She said as though that weren't abundantly clear. Every time they were together, she'd venture to say counted as making love. It was such a silly phrase when said pretty much anytime outside of a moment like this one. But even when she and Maris downright fucked each other, it was still all about how much they loved each other.

"C'mere," She whispered against her lips, her tongue darting over her lover's lips as she shifted on top of her. She reached one hand down between them, lifting one of Maris' thighs so her own could slide between her legs. Her stomach tightened as a shiver of anticipation raced up her spine, her hand reaching up to brush her fingertips over one of Maris' breasts. She squeezed at the same moment she lowered herself to press her pussy directly against Maris'. The feeling earned a little buck of her hips. "Fuck, you're wet." She grinned, but knew that she was the same.

Her gaze never faltered in the slightest as she slowly began to move her hips, languid rocking back and forth to build a slow, intense friction.

Maris ducked her head for a moment when Rory called her out on just how wet she was, still feeling the tiniest bit bashful about her request even though her lover was nothing if not receptive. It was still an uphill battle for her to be vulnerable, to ask for things she wanted, to talk about feelings (especially hurt ones) rather than pretend she didn't have them.

But she was getting better. For Rory's sake because there was no way they were going to last forever otherwise.

Forever. Yet another thing she wanted and asked for.

As their bodies rocked, she wanted the feeling tightening her stomach and racing up her spine to last forever too.

She purred with approval almost immediately, her hand sliding up to toy with Rory's breast the same way she toyed with hers. They slowly shifted into mirror images of each other. Everything Rory did, down to the smallest kiss, Maris did too. Determined to make sure every feeling was shared because wanted them to be as in sync as she felt.

She let out a little whimper, using her tongue to part Rory's lips as she rocked harder, eventually letting out a little grunt of frustration before slowly flipping them over. It took all of two seconds for them to adjust as she ended up on top. Maris was focused on pleasure (not to mention the fact that despite all of her progress she couldn't give up all of her power), blissfully unaware that it was kind of a metaphor of what their lives had already started to become and probably would be once they said I do.

The perfect blend of give and take. Neither really leading or following but with both parties ready to if need be. Not to mention and ever present need for each other.

She may have gotten on movie couples and their constant "You're beautiful" and "I love you"s in scenes like these, but Maris honestly wasn't saying much of anything.

Her body did. Every soft sigh and rock of her hips let Rory know she'd never get enough. Her darkened, half lidded eyes gave away just how much she wanted this. How far gone she was and probably always would be. And a faint buzz in her thighs told them both that she wouldn't last much longer.

Dammit, in the middle of the intensity of their love, Rory had to grin because then Maris was just cute on top of it. How she managed to strike her in so many different ways, she'd never be able to fully comprehend beyond what it made her feel. Her whole body felt alive all at once, a livewire where anywhere Maris touched meant she'd want to jump just a little. They had forever to experience this and more with each other.

Maris wasn't the only one thinking about forever. It was no secret that Rory was a bit of a romantic, but even then, when she was younger she thought it was kind of crazy to think someone might tie themselves to another person and expect that yes, they'd get forever together. Her own family history notwithstanding, it was a big ask. But with Maris she knew. How could she ever want for anything when she loved this woman? The short answer: She didn't, couldn't, wouldn't. Rory was her own person, and yet Maris sustained something in her.

Rory was so focused on what she, they were doing, that she entirely missed the telltale signs before it was too late, and she found herself splayed out on the bed beneath her fiancee. "Oh, I see how it is." She managed to purr out her words, though they filtered off into a moan as Maris set herself in place. She would share any amount of pleasure, power, compromise with this woman. Maris was going to be her wife, and Rory would be hers. What an incredible thing.

"Oh fuck," She sort of ran her words together through a gasp as their lips tore from each other, her body giving a visible shudder as her thighs spread a little wider on instinct, her hips lurching towards Maris. Rory didn't feel the need to say anything else. The way Maris looked at her struck her so deeply that she didn't trust herself to speak at all. Emotion was too readily at the surface.

Any frustration she may have had in the instant they flipped was gone by now, given way to the intense pleasure as their bodies rocked together. Her sounds came readily, her mind entirely gone to the way they were racing towards euphoria. "There," She huffed, reaching for Maris' ass and squeezing as she began to move her hips more fervently, rocking harder as she moaned.

“I got you,” she said almost soothingly once Rory told her where to go and to keep going. She rested their foreheads together, letting out a gasp of pleasure before continuing, grinding into her even harder. “Fuck, I’ve always got you.”

Now more than ever.

The thought made her come just a little bit harder. Her low groan vibrating against Rory’s breast because her mouth had eventually found its way to her nipple, the intensity of her orgasm causing her to bite down on it ever so slightly.

She was left panting when it was all said and done, slowly raising her head once they’d both come to a stop. She brought their foreheads together again, letting their noses brush as she cupped her cheek, in awe of the woman she was tangled up with.

“You’re so mine,” she murmured, kissing her gently.

There she was, in such a simple moment, a simple reassurance, Maris had given Rory a pinpoint of a moment that fully highlighted how perfectly matched they were. It was erotic as it was reassuring, her home was with this woman, safe at the same time exhilarating. As pleasure raged through her, she clung to Maris but only nodded, as the sounds coming from her couldn't exactly be taken as actual words.

Maris had her, and Rory had Maris in return. It was the way of their relationship, even more so in recent months. She was her absolute everything, and she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the emotion that brought.

Overwhelmed that tipped into her own ecstasy, her orgasm burning its way through her as she cried out, rocking her hips harder, more insistent to chase after the intense feeling as she came. The slight pain of Maris' teeth only enhanced the feeling, so much so that as she panted and barely started to come down, she felt dizzy.

Rory's breath came in ragged pants from her aching lungs, a slight smile curving her lips as she somehow got her lazy arms around Maris. She tilted her head just enough to kiss Maris' cheek and then the bridge of her nose, then finally tilted up to kiss her forehead. "I am. And you're mine." She grinned, still finding her breath as she kissed her. For as intense as that was, there was an underlying tenderness, the love they had for each other.

"And to make your point, I think you gave me a welt." She laughed and glanced down at her breast where a pink bite mark was forming. "It's cute." She smirked, leaning in to kiss her again.

By some miracle, Maris & Rory managed to get out of bed, take a shared shower and hop into a taxi to meet her dad right on schedule. She was sporting the olive green suit she'd gotten for a steal at Wildfang the month before. Her father's favorite steakhouse wasn't overly fancy, but it just seemed right to dress for dinner.

Especially now that she had a shiny new accessory.

She kept hold of Rory's hand, gently guiding them through the front door and the crowd waiting for a table. Since they already had a reservation, they were shown the way in a matter of seconds and Maris couldn't help but laugh as she slid her sunglasses on the top of her head to get a better look at her dad who was already going to town on the bread basket.

"Hi, daddy," she said with a grin, giving him a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday." She looked around. "Is Faye in the bathroom or..."

"Busy night at work," he said apologetically, smiling and nodding to acknowledge Rory before she sat down. "Just me and you girls tonight, I'm afraid."

Maris was hardly disappointed, still the tiniest bit selfish when it came to spending time with her dad, but she had to admit she was a little bit disappointed that Faye wasn't there to hear their news.

When she figured out how to break it anyway.

Celebrations really could take a whole lot of different shapes, and they had done plenty on their own. At least for a head start. But they really did have other important things to get to, and Rory couldn't help but feel both delighted and a little nervous about what would come next. Telling Maris' father was a big step, and she hoped it wasn't going to be a situation that ruined his birthday. Not that she thought it would. John had always been kind to her, and she genuinely liked him. In the beginning, she had been wary because, well, fathers were a touchy subject, but he always made her feel at ease.

Rory had planned out her outfit before they'd jumped in the car to head to New York, so she had been able to get ready pretty quickly -- all things considered. It had been hard however, to tear her attention away from Maris. But they made it on time, thankfully, and Rory was practically bouncing with excitement as they made their way into the restaurant.

She squeezed Maris' hand as they found John, her own grin easy on her face as she waited for the pair of Forresters to greet each other. "John, so good to see you." She said when his attention turned to her, where she gave him a quick hug as well. Maybe a little familiar? But whatever, she was a hugger and he was going to be family - even if he didn't know it yet. "Happy Birthday!"

Rory caught Maris' eye as they sat down, her smile giving a little story of its own - no Faye. Interesting, but not terrible at all. "You two will have to tell me the goods to get here, I have never been." She said as she picked up the menu, but slipped her other beneath the table to squeeze Maris' hand, her thumb running over the ring she'd given her.

The corners of Maris' lips curled up into a small smile as Rory's hand found hers under the table, a change her father noted, but didn't comment on. Although it did coax a faint smile out of him too. "I like the porterhouse, but Maris is a weirdo and orders the chicken..."

"What's wrong with the chicken!?" she asked with a laugh, looking up from her menu.

"Who goes to a steakhouse and orders chicken?"

Maris smiled at Rory. "It's good. Grilled chicken breast with melted cheese, bread crumbs and sundried tomato on top."

John rolled his eyes playfully at her. "And Faye likes the ribs."

"Ooh, the ribs are good," Maris agreed. "But if you order them I'm stealing one," she teased.

Once their orders were placed, they fell into easy enough conversation. Maris gave her dad his birthday gift, a coffee table book that featured photographs from WW2 in color, but she was pleasantly surprised to learn that he had a book for her too.

"What?" she said with a laugh. "It's your birthday, dad. You're supposed to be the one getting presents."

"I couldn't resist," he said, sliding a worn hardback across the table. "I saw it in the shop and knew it had to be yours."

"I love it," she said fondly, though she didn't have much time to flip through it before their food arrived.

Her chicken was especially good this time around, but despite the fact that she and Rory had definitely worked up an appetite, she was a little too antsy to enjoy it. She half listened as her dad told a story about a particularly trying student, something all three of them could relate to, idly running her thumb along the side of Rory's hand to give herself something to do.

Once their plates were cleared and John was perusing the dessert menu (after much coaxing from Maris who insisted he order something to celebrate his big day), she figured it was as good a time as any.

"So um, dad, we need to tell you something..." she started slowly.

"Oh?" John lowered his menu.

Maris nodded, bringing her and Rory's clasped hands onto the top of the table. "Rory and I are getting married."

Her father raised a bushy eyebrow, silent for a moment before a smile slowly made a way across his face. "Seriously? Oh, you two that's...wonderful. Well done, Rory. Coaxing her into..."

"Actually I asked her first," Maris said a bit defensively.

John laughed. "It was your idea? I don't believe it."

"It's a joint idea! Isn't that the whole point?"

"Of course it is," he said gently, placing his hand on top of theirs. "I was just teasing. I...I'm so happy for you both."

Like every time Rory found herself at a table with Maris and her father, she fell into a kind of passive role, not because she felt edged out, but because she truly loved watching the two of them interact with each other.

"Everything looks good, I'll be indecisive so I'll probably get the ribs." She chuckled, folding up her menu and doing just that -- fully prepared to have Maris swipe one from her plate.

Rory was definitely impressed with the book, and knew that she'd eventually swipe it when Maris was done to read herself. A thoughtful gift that just made Rory smile.

Throughout dinner, Rory was impressed with the quality but not paying much attention. Thank god for Maris being there (obviously), which just grounded her and kept her calm. Rory wasn't usually nervous, even though she'd been a bit to see John again for the first time. No, she realized she always felt a little anxious because she didn't really know how to properly be around a father figure. She was reminded every time she was around the elder Forrester however, that she didn't have much to fret about. He really was a kind man, and he had raised the woman she loved and was going to make her life with.

She just hoped he would feel the same way about her.

Her heart was hammering in her chest when Maris began, her knee bouncing a little as she tried not to show her nervous she was. It was out there a moment later, and Rory was grinning even as she waited for John's reaction.

"She did! She completely caught me off guard." She beamed, feeling relief flooding her all at once. She was gaining John as family, which she never really put into actual thought before, but it felt great.

Her eyes were welling up as she clasped her other hand on top of Johns, giving him a squeeze as she grinned at him. "Thank you. I'm ... there are no actual words for how I feel." She chuckled a little, glancing over at Maris. "I hope you know how much I love her, and how much I intend on doing everything I can to make her happy for the rest of our lives."

It was Maris turn to get emotional. She bit down on her lower lip in an effort to hold it together as Rory made her promise to her father. John noticed the response it elicited in his usually stoic daughter, turning his attention to Rory.

"I've never had a single worry on that front. I know you'll take good care of her."

It was a touching moment, one that lead to a contented silence (and Maris giving Rory a quick, charged look that told her just how she'd show her appreciation for what she'd said later) but now that the cat was out of the bag, Maris could focus on other things.

Like how badly she needed to go to the bathroom.

She excused herself quickly, having held it since before they arrived and gotten more caught up in the moment at hand. She never felt nervous about leaving her dad and Rory alone to talk amongst themselves. But everyone got a little nervous being left alone with someone's parents so she usually did her best not to leave the pair alone for long.

She didn't have a single worry as she left the table this time. They got each other. They would come together just like everything else in her and Rory's relationship had.

John looked at Rory for a moment, shifting in his chair as if to weigh what to say next. He started slowly, telling a story even Maris hadn't heard because it involved someone he rarely mentioned, especially when his daughter was around.

"Maris' mother and I weren't together for very long when she got pregnant. We knew each other, obviously but it had been less than a year and we were still finding our footing, especially me. I had just gotten tenure, my mother was sick and we knew she wasn't going to last long. I was so scared because it hardly seemed like the right time but Chrissy, well..." He smiled a bit sadly. "Maris' mother was so excited. And so sure. She said, John, she's going to make our whole lives.." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "And she did. I had never been sure I even wanted kids, but Maris... after I got the hang of it..." He reached out and gave Rory's hand a squeeze. "I've always wanted more children and sort of accepted that wasn't in the cards for me, but...now it is. I'm gaining another daughter and I couldn't have picked a better one if I tried."

Every moment that Rory spent with Maris since getting back together - even before they were allowed to truly embrace their life together again - she felt like she had been making promises. Every time they stole a kiss or a night together, she promised she wouldn't hurt her. Every morning they woke up together, Rory was promising she would give her a million more mornings. Every laugh they shared or time they held hands, Rory was promising that their life would never take them in separate directions ever again. Her promise in the moment was easy to make, because it was the same one she made every single day.

Still, John's assurance made her choke a little on her emotion, but she just smiled through it. Him saying he never had a worry about her ... it was a lot to take in, and something she worried about before.

Rory's fingers slipped out of Maris' as she took off, a somewhat bashful grin taking over her features as she turned her attention fully to John. She could have easily launched into talking about literature (a favorite topic, naturally) or how the wedding planning might be going, even if her own family knew about anything yet -- but John led the conversation and she was glad for that.

Even if tears had spilled down her cheeks by the time he finished. She squeezed his hand back, nodding as she swallowed hard at the lump in her throat. "Thank you, for telling me that. And for welcoming me so... wholeheartedly." She choked on her words, unaware they would mean so much to her. "I've never really um. I mean, I'm sure Maris has told you I've never really had a father figure in my life. I always sort of figured I didn't need that... But Maris has always revered you so much, she loves you and I was always nervous I wouldn't be good enough... But I'm really looking forward to being your family."

John smiled. "Likewise. And you're more than... I'm half convinced you're a superhero if you convinced Maris to take the plunge," he joked before softening. "No, I'm glad. It'll be good for her. Anyone could see how happy you two are. I'm just....even more sorry Faye couldn't be here! She'll be so excited. She's going to want to take Maris dress shopping tomorrow."

Maris had done a bit of browsing on her own. And was currently going back and forth between no less than three options. As particular as she was, there was no way she'd make a choice without tracking them down to try them on, but she wasn't exactly sure what that process would be like. Her best friend, Jenna was back in her hometown a no nonsense biologist who didn't care about fashion and frills, hardly the sort of person she'd ask even if she wasn't far away. Rory was her usual shopping partner and she obviously wasn't an option.

She'd seen the stupid tv shows where some perky blonde twenty something had her entire family gathered around to help her choose. She didn't have that. Well, unless she counted her aunt Ramona who was sure to pick something that would have her looking like a walking doily. She certainly wouldn't be thrilled with her niece wearing black on her big day.

She had thought, fleetingly that helping her choose her wedding dress was something her mother was supposed to help her do. She was supposed to tell her that even the ugliest dresses looked beautiful and subtly steer her in the right direction until they found something that made them both cry.

Maris wasn't one to wallow in her circumstances. She'd made up her mind to pick her dress on her own and was probably too headstrong to listen to anyone else's opinions anyway.

But she was going to surprise herself by accepting Faye's help in a few weeks when she asked.

Maris returned with a smile, looking from Rory, to her dad then back again. "You two have fun without me?"

John nodded. "I was just telling Rory where all the embarrassing family photos are."

"Fun," Maris said with a bit of a face, downing the rest of her wine.

"You two have to let me throw you an engagement party."

Maris laughed, choking a little on her wine. "What? Dad, it's been two seconds."

"Hey, my only daughter just got engaged. Let me do this. Your bat mitzvah was fun."

Maris scowled at Rory. "It was not fun."

"Well if that's my super power, I will absolutely take it." Rory laughed, her own smile softening as he continued. The way that John loved his daughter struck her then, how much he wanted to share it with his wife, how happy he was for them. God, Rory was going to be a mess of water works for a while, wasn't she? "Oh now I would pay to see that." She grinned, her attention turning back to Maris as she approached.

Rory's own dress shopping had been slow, but she was picky. She figured she'd probably end up taking a trip back to California at some point, and her mom and sister would insist on helping her pick them out. She'd have to invite a friend as well so she didn't end up fighting with them about what she wanted versus what their fashion tastes might be. She didn't like the idea of the whole squealing show, but wanted it to be special. She more just wanted to make sure that she got one that was the right one.

Rory knew that whatever Maris wore on their wedding day, she'd be stunning. It would be one of the best days they'd share together, and then launch off into the rest of their lives. God, she couldn't wait.

"Oh plenty, I can't wait to find them all." She chuckled, leaning over and kissing Maris' cheek quickly. After what she and John had just talked about, she was practically buzzing with her joy.

Rory glanced back and forth between the two of them, a grin forming across her lips that made her cheeks ache a little. "Okay, now I have to know what transpired at the bat mitzvah."

"It really wasn't so bad," John assured Rory, turning on his daughter with a scowl of his own "In fact, I thought it was really nice."

"You would think that. You didn't have to take Hebrew lessons Rabbi Weiss." Maris made a face barely repressing a shudder. "Or go shopping with Aunt Ramona for a party dress."

"She wanted to take you! Would you rather I have?"

"Yes! Just because she has a vagina doesn't mean she's fashionable."

John blushed, looking around quickly. "Mari," he hissed.

"Well, it's true. She has terrible taste for an adult. Even worse taste when it comes to shopping for a 13 year old girl." She looked at Rory. "It was very puffy. And very pastel."

"You could have told her no!"

Maris stared her father down, unblinking. "Dad, come on. When's the last time you told your sister no?"

"Point taken," he mumbled. "But we did tape your party too..."

Maris paled, visibly horrified. "Why!?"

"Because you worked so hard for your torah reading! And now that Rory's going to be family..."

She shook her head. "Nope. Rory's not allowed to see me stuttering over a scroll in a terrible Laura Ashley number until the ceremony's over and this whole marriage thing is legally binding."

"See, there's the Mari I know. So romantic." Maris grinned and John turned his attention to Rory. "Either way, I'd like to throw you two an engagement party. Or at least foot the bill. And we can invite your family too, of course."

Rory had to stifle a laugh as the two of them went back and forth, her lips pursing into a tight line as she suddenly became very interested with the residual chocolate on her dessert plate and poking at it with her fork.

"I honestly cannot imagine you in puffy, let alone pastel puffy. Come to think of it, do they make puffy in black?" Rory teased with an easy grin, which quickly morphed into a look of utter delight when John confessed there was evidence of said party. "Oh. I am absolutely going to need to see this, as soon as possible. Yep." She squeezed Maris' hand and practically bounced in her seat with excitement.

Her attention returned to John, her smile softening. "That is really sweet of you, thank you. We, oh." She blushed a little, like she was about to tell him some big secret. "We haven't told my family yet. But once we do, I think we can really get planning. My mom and sister will definitely be all over it ... which is why I'm very glad they are on the other coast."

"Well, let me know as soon as they know and we'll start talking about a party."

"Since when are you Mr. Party?" Maris asked, narrowing her eyes at her father.

"I like parties. When they're for you." John looked at Maris, then at Rory, then back again. "So how did all this happen?"

"How did what happen?"

"The proposing!"

Maris made a bit of a face, sitting down her wine glass. "Oh gross, do we have to do a play by play?"

"It was your idea apparently. And I'm curious."

"Technically Rory asked me like an hour ago." She said with a shrug.

"It'll be soon, I guarantee that." She beamed, still just so touched that John cared enough to want to throw them a party. God, her friends at school were going to be so over the moon, and maybe a little surprised. But they all knew about Maris by now, and the few nosy folk she wasn't too keen on didn't matter or need to know anything about her private life anyway. Anyone who had known her over the past few years knew how night and day different it was for her happiness levels.

Rory was about to answer how Maris had proposed when Maris beat her to it with their latest proposal. Rory laughed, blushing a little as she leaned forward and took a sip of her coffee. "I did. But Maris beat me to it on New Year's Eve." She grinned, her gaze returning to her fiancee. God, she was practically bursting with joy that this woman gave her.

"I proposed in the library ... in the rare books room because of course I did. I'm actually surprised I got any words out at all." She said with a smile, her thumb rolling over Maris' ring finger. "Maris' was more mm, you could say impromptu ... and it was so perfect. I cried a whole lot. "