Epilogue

            23 year old Rory Gilmore threw open the door to her house and quickly stepped inside, breathing out a sigh of contentment.  She looked around, suddenly feeling nostalgic for all of the wonderful memories this house held.  'Quit it,' she told herself, when she felt tears welling up in her eyes,'You're home for a joyous occasion, now start acting joyous!'

            Rory really was in a good mood.  She was thrilled to finally be home.  She had eventually decided to attend Yale after her graduation at Chilton, and for that reason, she had pretty much been able to live at home during college, or at least visit whenever she felt the urge.  However, after college, Rory had gotten a beginning position at The New York Times, and therefore had had no choice but to move to New York.  The past year had been incredibly difficult for her.  Living all alone in her apartment had been a bigger adjustment than she had expected.  She missed her Mother and Stars Hollow so much.  If Jess hadn't decided to transfer to NYU, and get his own apartment in New York, Rory wasn't sure what she would have done.  'Wait a minute,' she thought, 'Where is Jess?'

            Right on cue the door swung open and hit her in the back, causing her to drop her bags.

            "Hey!" she said, bending down to get her things.  Unfortunately Jess leaned down at the same time.  The two hits heads and both ended up on the floor.

            "Jeez, Rory!  What were you doing standing right in front of the door?"

            "Being sentimental," she said with a huff.  Just as Jess went to get up and give Rory a hand, Lorelai rounded the corner.

            "Yikes!  What happened here?" she said loudly, surprising Rory and Jess.

            "Mom!"  Rory squealed, pulling just a little too hard on Jess' outstretched had.  Jess ended up back on the floor, shooting an exasperated glare at his girlfriend.  Rory just giggled at him and ran over to embrace her Mother.

            "Oh babe, I'm so glad you're here!" Lorelai cried.

            "I know! I missed you so much!"  Rory said, matching her Mother's enthusiasm.

            By the time the two Gilmore girls were done hugging and dancing around, Jess was back in vertical position, holding all of Rory's bags.

            Lorelai smiled at him, and then surprised him by giving him a hug as well.  "How are you doing, Jess?  Still liking NYU?"

            "Yeah, actually.   Everything's going great."

            "Graduation still set for May?"

            "If everything goes according to plan."

            "And it will, trust me," Rory interjected, smiling at Jess.  She was so proud of him.  After highschool, his grades hadn't been the best, and he hadn't really planned on going to college.  Rory talked him into going to community college for a few years, until he could get his grades up, and then transfer to a University.  Jess had worked incredibly hard and surpassed everyone's expectations for him, except for Rory's of course.  She had always known he was capable of great things.  'And look at him now,' she thought with a satisfied grin 'NYU . . .  not too bad for someone who barely graduated from highschool.' 

            Jess laughed, interrupting Rory's thoughts, "I guess it might have taken me a little longer than some people, but I'm getting there and I guess that's all that counts."

            "Well, I always knew you could do it," Lorelai said, earning a snort from both Rory and Jess.  "What?" she asked innocently.

            "Mom, I do believe when you found out that Jess had decided to go to college, you said, and I quote, 'Really, that's great, but sweetie you're confused.  April fool's day is still a month away.'" Rory reminded her Mother, grinning lightly.

            "You still remember that? You need help."

            "Well it might not be word for word verbatim, but I've got the general idea."

            "Alright, alright, so I was wrong.  It was bound to happen some time, let's just not tell anyone about it, okay?"

            "Deal," Rory and Jess said together.

            "Good," Lorelai said.  She grabbed Rory's hand, "Now come on sweetie, there is so much I need to talk to you about.  I think, I'm like a nervous train wreck."

            "Mom it's natural to be nervous-" Rory began.

            "Maybe, but I still don't like it," Lorelai said, pulling her daughter up the steps.

            "Well, I'll just stick this stuff in you're room Ror, and then head over to Luke's," Jess said, although he was pretty sure he was just talking to air.  'Oh well,' he thought 'Some things never change.'  And actually, he was pretty glad about that.

*****

            Rory and Lorelai plopped down on Lorelai's bed with a thud.  Rory sat up, crossing her legs, and looked at her Mother.

            "Well?", she asked with an excited giggle, "What did you want to talk about?"

            "I'm getting married," Lorelai said seriously.

            Rory laughed, "Mom, don't you think it's a little late to be telling me, since the wedding is tomorrow?"

             "Don't get smart with me, child!" Lorelai said, suppressing her smile, "I feel like a pack of butterflies have taken up permanent residence in my stomach.  Ahh! I'm soo nervous . . . I've never been married before, you know?"

            "Yes, actually, I do know."

             "Roooory," Lorelai whined, "you're not helping."

            "Okay, okay I'm sorry.  But Mom, you love Luke, and he loves you.  You two were like, meant for each other.  It's natural to be nervous, but there's really nothing to worry about.  You're going to have a very happy marriage," Rory predicted with a grin.

            Lorelai sighed, "I know . . . I am excited."

            "Yeah?" Rory said, her grin growing wider.

            "Of course!  I mean I've dreamed about having the perfect wedding forever!  And now it's finally happening . . . I'm nervous, but honestly I've never been this happy in my entire life."

            "That's great Mom!  I'm so happy for you," Rory said, giving her Mom a hug, "It's like a fairy tale."

            Lorelai laughed, "Not quite.  I don't think Luke would appreciate being compared to Prince Charming."

            Rory smiled, "That doesn't mean you still can't be the beautiful princess."

            "That's right," Lorelai agreed, "But enough about me, I want to talk about you.  How's work going?"

            "It's still going great.  It's like all my dreams are coming true.  Slowly, but it's still really happening.  I just wish it could happen closer to home."

            "Oh sweetie, sometimes we have to make sacrifices to make our dreams come true.  And just because you live in New York now, doesn't mean that you won't always have a home here, because you will."

            "Thanks Mom."

            "No problem kiddo . . . So, how are things going with Jess?  Is he still the one?"

            Rory's eyes immediately lit up.  "He'll always be the one," she said softly.

            "That's what I thought.  So, when are the wedding bells going to be ringing for you?" Lorelai asked with a grin.

            "I don't know," she said with a frown.

            "Have you guys even talked about it?"

            "Well, I guess we've hinted around the subject, but we've never had an actual conversation about getting married."

            "Do you think you're ready?"

            "I'm not sure, I guess I'll know when the timing is right."

            "And when it is . . .?" Lorelai said with a stern expression.

            Rory laughed, "You'll be the first person to know."

            "Good, so . . . "

            "Yeah, so . . ."

            "You want me to try my wedding dress on," Lorelai asked, her eyes bright and excited.

            Rory smiled, "I was just getting ready to ask you to do that."

            Lorelai laughed, "Yeah, that's what I thought."

*****

The next day . . .

            "You look so beautiful, Mom," Rory said, her eyes filling with happy tears.  The two were standing just around the side of the inn, where the wedding was being held.  The ceremony was set to start in any minute.

            "Thanks sweetie," Lorelai said, smoothing out her elegant gown, and brushing a curl out her face, "You do, too."

            "Thank you.  Did I mention how much I love these brides maid dresses?"

            Lorelai laughed, "Yes, several times in fact.  But considering the fact that you picked them out, I should certainly hope that you would like them."

            Rory grinned sheepishly, spinning in her pale yellow dress.  The dress had a

simple cut, but was accented with pretty ribbon and lace in just the right places.  When combined with a crown a fresh flowers, the dresses were perfect.  They were beautiful, and yet simple enough that they didn't take away from the bride's dress.

            Suddenly the music started playing.   Rory glanced up to where the flower girl Molly, Sookie's three year old daughter, and Sookie and Lane, the other two bridesmaids, were already in line.  As maid of honor, Rory would go last, just before her Mom. 

            "Well, this is it sweetie," Lorelai said.

            "I know, I love you Mom."

            "I love you too, Rory."  The two embraced in a teary hug, and then Rory quickly took her place in line.  When it was her turn, she began to slowing walk down the aisle, a soft smile on her face.  She glanced around at all of the packed chairs, filled with happy and excited people.  Practically the entire town had shown up for the ceremony.  Rory wasn't surprised; this was the wedding they had all been waiting for for years.

            Rory felt someone staring at her, and instinctively turned towards the front of the ceremony, where the wedding party was standing.  She locked eyes with the best man, and felt her heart do a familiar flip-flop.  Jess looked incredibly good in his tux, and the way he was staring at her made her face heat up.  She gave him a small secret smile, one she knew only he would notice.  He winked in response.

            Rory reached the end of the aisle and took her place next to Sookie.  Hey eyes traveled to the end the back of the congregation, and felt her heart start hammering with anticipation.  The music changed, and everyone stood up, craning their necks to get a better view of the bride.  Suddenly Lorelai appeared, escorted by Rory's grandfather.  Rory once again felt her eyes tear up with happiness.  She glanced over at Luke, who was staring at his bride.  She returned her gaze to her Mom, who was staring at her groom.  Any worries that she might have had disappeared in that instant.  Luke and her Mother were going to be very happy.  Rory was thrilled; after everything her Mother had gone through in her life, she deserved this.

*****

            Rory looked around the packed reception room with satisfaction.  Everyone was having an amazing time.  Especially the bride and groom, who hadn't let go of each other since the dancing had started.  Rory's own feet were killing her . . . she decided she had danced one too many dances.  Her eyes searched the crowded room, and stopped by the punch table.  She saw Jess, getting the drink she had requested.  She grinned, and headed for the door.  The noise was getting to her, and she wanted some time alone with Jess.  She slipped out into the cool night air and headed off into the darkness.  She knew Jess would find her.

            Several minutes later, Jess returned to where he had left Rory earlier.  He frowned, glancing around the room.  He quickly decided she wasn't there.  He sighed. He had figured they would eventually bail, but she could have at least waited on him.  He sat the two drinks down on the nearest table and headed out the door.  The minute he was away from the loud gathering, he instinctively relaxed.  Big crowds had never been his thing.  He quickened his pace a bit, anxious to be alone with Rory, and didn't slow until he reached the bridge.  Just as he had expected, Rory was sitting there.  Her hands were stretched out behind her and her feet her dangling over the edge.  Jess was once again struck by how beautiful she was.

            She looked over at him.  "What took you so long?" she asked with a grin.

            He smirked and sat down beside her, leaning over and kissing the side of her neck.  "I could have gotten here faster if you had told me you were going to leave."

            "I knew you'd figure it out."

            Jess smirked, looking satisfied with himself.

            "It was a beautiful wedding, wasn't it?" Rory asked, a far off twinkle in her eyes.

            "Yeah, it was," Jess said, reminding himself of what he was planning on doing tonight.

            "So, Rory," he said with a grin, "Do you know what today is?"

            "No, Jess, what is today?" Rory said, playing along.  She knew exactly what today was.  It was part of the reason she had been so excited when she had found out her Mom and Luke had set their wedding for this date.

            "Why, Rory," Jess said, feigning shock, "Today is our 5 year anniversary."

            "Ahh, that's right.  I knew I was forgetting something," she said softly, her eyes sparking mischievously.  

            Jess laughed as he reached over and tucked a stray curl behind Rory's ear.  His touch cause her heart to skip a beat, and Rory suddenly grew serious.  "Happy anniversary, Jess," she whispered.

            "Happy anniversary, Rory," he said, a scant second before his mouth covered hers.  Rory eagerly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck, and plunging her hands into his hair.  His hands moved to her waist, pulling her close and lifting her onto his lap.  She leaned into him, deepening the kiss.  Jess lazily explored the inside of mouth, and then pulled back, dropping his mouth to her neck.  She fought the urge to moan out loud as he drove her wild with his hot touch.  Instead she just let out a content sigh, and relaxed in Jess's strong arms.

            The two stayed that way for a while, holding each other and kissing, whispering to each other every so often.  After some time, Rory pulled back slightly, so she could look into Jess's eyes.

            "You know," she whispered, "I got you something for our anniversary, but it's back at the house."

            Jess smiled, "That's okay.  I, uh, got you something, too."

            Rory smiled and kissed him softly on the mouth.  She pulled back, looking into his eyes expectantly.

            Jess was suddenly feeling nervous.  He felt his stomach tighten and tried to fight his way through the thousands of mixed emotions that were suddenly flowing between his head and his heart. 

            He looked up, and his eyes locked onto Rory's.  "I love you, Jess," she said suddenly.

             He smiled, everything making sense.  Rory loved him, and he loved her.  What they had was real.  The kind of love that would last forever.  He remembered back to the very first time he had told Rory that he loved her, and she had said it back. . . the amazing feelings that those words had evoked in him.  It was still just as amazing now, almost five years later.  Every time Rory told him that she loved him seemed more amazing than the last.  He knew that time and circumstance would never be able to lessen the love that they felt for each other.

            "I love you too, Rory, and I want to ask you something," he said reaching into his pocket.

            "Yes," Rory said, her eyes shining.

            "Rory Gilmore, will you marry me?"

            Rory gasped and looked back and forth between Jess and the ring he was offering her.  She remembered just yesterday, when she had told her Mother that she would know when the timing was right.  Rory smiled and wiped the tears out her eyes; the timing was right now.

            "Yes," she said simply, that one word holding more power and beauty than it ever had before.

            Jess showed no emotion as he removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger.  He quickly stood up, and pulled Rory to her feet.  He looked down into her eyes, and only then did he let his happiness show.

            Rory started laughing, the clear and joyful sound ringing into the night, and Jess found himself laughing as well.  He grabbed her around the waist and swung her around as she wrapped her arms around his neck.  After a moment, he sat her down.  He kept his hands on her waist, and she kept her arms around his neck.

            "I love you so much," he said softly.

            "I love you, too," she returned with a happy smile.

            He pulled her close, content with holding her for the rest of his life . . .

The shadows flickered across his handsome face.

The moonlight danced, illuminating her joyous features.

The two met in a kiss . . . soulmates forever.

~*~THE END~*~

A/N: Well guys, there ya go.  I really want to thank everyone who reviewed and stuck with this story . . . It meant so much : )  Well, I hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know what you think!