"Wow," Maddie said with surprise, hugging her friend tightly. "I can't believe it. I mean, I can, but wow. Just...wow. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Rory sighed as tears welled in her eyes. "I guess this means that I'll be moving to Paris."

"I guess so," Maddie frowned. "God, what am I going to do without you?"

"What are you going to do without me?" Rory scoffed. "What am I going to do without you?"

"I don't know," Maddie sighed.

—————

Rory stood on the front step of the small house. She took a deep breath before ringing the door bell.

The door was opened by a woman in her mid forties. "Aurora," she smiled, "it's wonderful to see you, Darling. What brings you by?"

"I got some good news, Mama," Rory smiled. "Is Daddy home? I want to tell you both together."

"Come in, Honey. Your father is in his study. Hopefully he won't mind us interrupting him."

"I sure hope not," Rory chuckled.

The older woman opened the door to her husband's study. "Jim, look who's here."

The husband shifted his gaze upward. "Rory," he grinned, "it's good to see you, Pumpkin."

"It's good to see you too, Daddy. Listen, I have something to tell you."

"So I've heard," the mother chuckled.

"Now, Maryann, let her continue," Jim chided.

Rory took a deep breath. "Mama, Daddy, I've been asked to be a ballerina in Paris...at the Palais Garnier," she said slowly.

The parents' jaws dropped. Maryann was the first to speak. "Dearest," she smiled softly, "we're both so proud of you."

Both parents embraced their daughter. "Thanks," she said through tears. "I couldn't have done it without the two of you. I truly couldn't have."

"You did this all on your own," Jim nodded.

—————

"Well," Danny sighed, "I'm very happy for you."

"Thank you so much for everything, Danny," Rory smiled with tears in her eyes. "If you didn't hire me, I wouldn't be where I am now."

Danny embraced his friend. "I'm going to miss you like crazy."

"I'm going to miss you too," Rory nodded.

—————

"Okay," Maddie frowned, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Do you have everything? You didn't forget to pack anything, did you? Your favorite pair of boots? Your blue sweater? What about your curling iron, because I-"

"Maddie," Rory laughed, tears running down her own cheeks, "I have everything I need."

"God, Rory," Maddie cried, pulling her friend in close, "I just- I'm going to miss you so much."

"You better come and visit me," Rory chuckled.

"Try and stop me," Maddie smiled. "Do you need a ride to the airport?"

"I have my car," Rory shrugged. "Besides, I don't want to have one of those cliché airport goodbyes."

Maddie nodded with a small laugh. "Goodbye, Aurora Lucas."

"Goodbye, Madelyn Dalton."

Rory drove to the airport and checked her luggage. She didn't have much, as she was having most of her stuff shipped over to her new Parisian apartment.

Rory was about to go through security, when a voice called to her from behind, exclaiming, "Rory, wait!"

She turned around to see a man running towards her. "Jamie?"

"Rory," he said breathlessly, "Rory, please don't leave. Don't go to Paris."

"Jamie," Rory sighed, "I've wanted to be a ballerina at the Garnier for as long as I can remember. It's what I've been working towards for my entire life, you know that. Why would I stay? Give me one good reason."

Having caught his breath, Jamie gently took Rory's hands in his. Softly, he said, "I love you."