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Bennet stops and takes bothdoith his blue eyes blazing A vein twitches in his neck and his features are bent into a deep frown, but there’s solint of hope, of happiness

Is he nervous? It’s a strange thought

“I wanted to do so special,” he says “But after what just happened, I can’t wait any longer I was going to take you on a helicopter ride Or to a rooftop Or hire a carriage But when you get right down to it, Rory, we’re so oes bone deep, right down to our souls What we have, it’s… it’s eternal”

I blink as tears begin to slide down ainst the autumn cold “I feel the same,” I whimper

“I love you,” he growls

I flinch, as though the words have physically struck h le atom is flooded armth

“I love you too,” I croak, struggling to hold back a cry of joy “I love you so much”

“I’ve loved you ever since we al with eht I could If seeing my parents killed broke me, if it shattered some part of me… then you, Rory, my sweet Rory, you made me whole”

“Oh, Bennet I’ll always be there for you”

“You better be” He s a step back “Or it could make this very aard…”

My hands fly toup with that hope in his eyes His eyes are fixed onbox, opening it to show old band

The rock glitters up atme of his hair

“Lorelei Clark,” he says, his voice catching, “will you marry me?”

I don’t even have to think about the answer

Conviction swells up inside of me, the sort I’ve never felt before I’m more certain than I’ve felt about my desire to be a writer all my life… and that’s the

This breezes past that and into a co, a life as well as a career

“Yes,” I say quickly, realizing his eyes are swirling with anxiety atother than yes! I love you so freaking much”