I just want to take the time to thank you all so much for all your support during this story! I can't believe I've written over 100 chapters and I really didn't expect getting over 600 reviews. I've really enjoyed writing and developing this story and it really has exceeded all my expectations so thank you! It really has been so overwhelming. :) Anyway, I just want to confirm that I will be writing a sequel so I hope you will all follow me onto that. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the last chapter! :)

Chapter 102

Charlotte had been thinking long and hard during the week about her new job prospect. She felt bad leaving Chris and Matt in the lurch but this would be for her ideal job. She would become a fully fledged illustrator and that's what she had always wanted. Jess had been very supportive and had told her that she should do what she wants. So after putting it off for days, she finally made the call to Truncheon and told Chris and Matt that she wanted to take the job. They were sad to lose her but understood completely why and were very supportive. Another bonus to taking the job, it meant she could do it anywhere and just send the work to her boss so it gave her more flexibility which meant she would be able to go see Hep Alien on your a few times.

Rory was finishing her finals week and was excited but also nervous to be graduating from Yale as it meant going out in the world by herself. Sam had taken some days off work to keep her company during her last week as well which was nice as it meant spending some quality time together and they could feel their feelings really growing.

Luke and Lorelai were still getting into a routine of being parents but they were absolutely loving it. Lorelai had taken maternity leave but she didn't like leaving Sookie and Michel in the lurch for so long so Luke had offered to leave Caesar and Lane in charge of the diner one day a week to look after Mia so that Lorelai could go to the inn and feel involved in what was going on there. They had been surprised to hear about Jess and Charlotte's new directions in their working life but they had seen how happy they were by the choices so they supported them.

Friday night came which meant the evening at the Gilmore Mansion although this time instead of a normal dinner, they were throwing Rory a graduation party.

"Is this weird?" Rory asked as she and Sam were stood with Charlotte whilst their mom had gone to greet their dad outside. Jess and Luke had both opted out of coming and so Jess was helping Luke close up the diner and then they were double teaming on the babysitting duties of Jack and Mia.

"What, this party?" Charlotte asked. "No, why?"

"Well...because they're making this whole fuss about me but didn't do anything for you..." Rory said hesitantly.

"Well that's because I was a disappointment and didn't graduate." Charlotte joked.

"Charlotte..."

"It's cool, Ror. You deserve this. Plus you know me, I don't like the fuss." Charlotte said. "It's fine."

"Ok.." Rory said relaxing a bit.

"You weren't kidding about your grandparents' parties. Very...grand." Sam said.

Rory and Charlotte both laughed. "We never kid about our grandparents' parties." Charlotte smirked.

"I see that now." Sam smirked.

"I know it's probably not your thing but I am glad you're here. You know that, right?" Rory said.

Sam smiled. "I'm glad you invited me. I wouldn't be anywhere else." He said sincerely.

"And on that note, I'm going to go and call Jess quickly. Check in on Jack." Charlotte said, walking off.

Meanwhile, Lorelai had gone just outside to meet Chris who had just arrived. "Hey!" She smiled.

"Hey!" He smiled giving her a hug. "Sorry to get you out here. I just thought...well I shouldn't just go in there all guns blazing so to speak." He said. "I wasn't sure how welcome I'd be."

"What do you mean? Of course you're welcome!" Lorelai said confused.

"Well I wasn't sure if...Luke was here or not." He admitted.

"Oh, well he's not. Him and Jess are babysitting Mia and Jack tonight." She said. "But even if he was here, you know everything's in the past now. And you and the girls seem to be doing well now."

"Yeah we are." He said smiling. "I feel stupid not being involved earlier. I should have been."

"Well the door was always open." She said.

"I know." Chris sighed.

"Anyway, like I said before, it's all in the past. Come on in and see the girls." She smiled.

"Lead the way." He smiled.

They headed back in and went over to Rory and Sam, where Charlotte had rejoined them as well. "Hey kiddos!" He smiled giving them both a hug.

"Hi dad." Rory smiled.

"Hey!" Charlotte smiled.

"What's this about you becoming a fully fledged illustrator?" He smiled.

"Oh, well it's early days yet but I'm really excited." She said.

"Well I'm proud of you." Chris smiled.

"And you must be Sam. It's nice to meet you." Chris said holding out his hand.

"You too." Sam smiled shaking his hand.

"So, are you getting excited?" Chris asked Rory.

"Yeah, I can't believe it's tomorrow." Rory smiled just as they were interrupted by Richard tapping on his glass.

"Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, first let me thank you for coming to celebrate my granddaughter's graduation." He said before being pinched on his arm by Emily. "Ouch! I do beg your pardon. Celebrating our granddaughter's graduation." He said getting chuckles from everyone.

"I can't let him take all the credit. Have you seen her? Can you blame me?" Emily said getting more laughs.

"So, when my wife and I sat down to write our toast, we ran into something of a problem. All of our words sounded too mundane, too insignificant to mark such an auspicious occasion as Rory's graduation from Yale. So instead... maestro..." Richard said a the piano started playing.

"Please excuse us. We're not singers." Emily said.

"Oh my god!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"This isn't happening..." Rory said.

You're the top, you have graduated

You're the top your grandparents are elated.

Newspaper editor. Phi Beta Kappa wow!

You're a revelation. A huge sensation.

You should take a bow.

You are done. No more school for you.

There is nothing. Now that you can't do.

You'll make us proud, we'll sing it loud.

It's true!

Because now Rory, you're a Bulldog through and through.

There was lots of laughter and applause after they had finished.

"Oh please, stop!" Emily laughed.

"Thank you, thank you." Richard chuckled.

"Wow! Thank you for that." Rory said as she rushed up on stage and hugged them both.

"So this is us." Charlotte smirked at Sam. "Welcome to craziness. You ready for it all?"

Sam chuckled and watched Rory on the stage thanking her grandparents and smiled. "I'm pretty sure I am." He smiled.

"Well then, welcome to the family." Charlotte grinned, holding up her drink.

"I'll drink to that." Sam grinned clinking his glass with hers.

Rory rejoined them, giving Sam a quick drink, just as Chris' cell rang. "Sorry." He said. "Oh, it's the babysitter, checking to see if Gigi can watch an hour of television. I don't think she's ready for 'The Pussycat Dolls'. I'll be right back."

"Hang on! The town's throwing a party for me after my graduation next week seeing as I couldn't get tickets for them to come to it." Rory said. "Plus they also want to congratulate Charlotte on her job and me on the internship. You should come." She said.

"Oh I don't know..." Chris said not sure what the townspeople would think about him going.

"You should definitely come, dad!" Charlotte nodded. "Please?"

Chris looked at both of their smiling faces and he couldn't help but smile. "Ok. If you two want me there, of course I'll be there." He said.

Everyone was sat in a row at Yale, waiting for Rory to receive her diploma. Emily, Richard, Lorelai, Luke, Chris, Charlotte, Jess and Sam were all there. Rory had managed to get three extra tickets for Luke, Jess and Sam as she really wanted them to be there. They each meant a lot to her and she felt like they should be there.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore!" The announcer suddenly said.

Everyone stopped talking and turned to the stage to see Rory walk across the stage and receive her diploma.

"Yay, Rory!" Lorelai called out not helping herself, standing up.

"Yeah, Rory!" Charlotte followed suit and stood up with her mom too, grinning.

Rory looked over at them and smiled before happily walking off the stage.

After the ceremony, they were gathered together in the courtyard taking photos. Luke was taking the picture of Emily, Richard, Lorelai, Charlotte and Rory.

"Alright everyone. Say fromage!" Richard said.

"Dad!" Lorelai groaned.

"Must you always do that?" Emily said.

"Entertain them with that in the Great War?" Lorelai quipped.

"Got it." Luke said smirking slightly.

"Excellent." Richard smiled.

"Alright what other combinations haven't we done?" Emily said.

"Um, duh. Me, Charlotte, mom, and dad." Rory said.

"Duh? That's our Yale graduate." Emily said.

"She meant doy." Lorelai joked.

"Alright. Everybody, everybody say..." Richard started.

"Don't!" Everyone exclaimed.

"Whatever you like..." He said taking the photo. "Got it."

"Good, make sure you save it. You erased the last one." Emily said.

"I don't trust these things." Richard said.

"Ok I think we're done." Emily said. "Are you all ready to go?"

"Wait!" Chris said taking the camera off Richard. He glanced at Luke. "We should have one of the Danes/Gilmore family." He said. "Luke, Jess...you should be in one." He said.

Luke glanced at him in surprise but then nodded. "Ok. Thanks." He said.

Luke and Jess got into the photo as well and Chris took it. "Got it." He smiled.

"One last one!" Charlotte said taking the camera. "One of the happy couple." She grinned at Rory and Sam. Rory rolled her eyes but happily leaned into Sam as he came to stand next to her. "Perfect!" She grinned, taking the photo.

"Right, let's motor! So Rory, you're going with Charlotte, Jess and Sam in your car right?" Lorelai said.

"Yep." Rory nodded. "Meet you in the square?"

"See you there." She nodded.

"Mom, dad, you're coming with me in the jeep right?" Lorelai smiled at her parents.

"If that's ok?" Emily said.

"Of course." Lorelai smiled. "Plus it means we can stop by Sookie's and see Mia and Jack."

"Well there's an incentive." Richard chuckled.

"Chris, did you bring your car?" Lorelai asked.

"Oh..uh..no. It was due for its service so I took a bus, then another bus and then a cab." He admitted.

"Oh.." Lorelai said. "Well...you can get a lift with us in the jeep if you like."

"Please in your clown car?" Luke spoke up for the first time.

"Well what do you suggest? Walking?" Lorelai joked.

"No. I can take him. We can even stop by the diner for some peace before the craziness starts." Luke said.

"Oh.." She said surprised. "Uh...if you're sure?"

"I'm sure." Luke shrugged. "You up for it?" He asked, glancing at Chris.

"Uh..sure." Chris nodded. "See you there then." He smiled at Lorelai.

"See you there." She smiled, walking off with her parents.

"Thanks." Chris said glancing at Luke.

"Well you made the effort earlier. This is my way of...well saying thanks." Luke shrugged.

"Thanks." Chris said.

"Maybe we can finally bury the hatchet huh?" Luke suggested cautiously. "You never know, we might actually get along." He said smirking slightly.

Chris chuckled. "Now that would be something."

"Plus you now owe me for not having to spend over an hour in the car with Emily and Richard." Luke smirked.

Chris laughed. "I do owe you for that." He said following Luke to his truck.

Later that day, the town had a huge marquee up and music was blaring out of the sound system. Soon a slow song came in and the dance floor was vacated and then filled up again with couples.

"Thanks for putting up with all my family and town's craziness this week." Rory smiled up at Sam as she had her arms round his neck, swaying slowly to the music. "I know they can all be a bit full on but..."

"It's fine. It's been fun." Sam smiled. "It's sweet the town wanted to throw you and Charlotte a party. They obviously think a lot of you both and your mom."

Rory smiled. "Yeah." She said softly. "This town means a lot to us too. They helped mom a lot when we were younger."

"So...are you excited about New York?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. Although a bit nervous too." Rory admitted.

"Don't be. You'll be great." He assured her.

"Well it will help knowing you're close." She smiled softly at him.

"And you'll be pleased to know I have managed to snag you a discount at The Strand. 40% off." He smirked.

"Really?" She said excitedly. "Oh my god, I love you!" She exclaimed but then stopped realising what she had just said. "I mean...uh..." She said embarrassed.

Sam just chuckled. "It's good to know the real reason you got with me." He teased.

"Well..." Rory joked, smirking slightly. She smiled at him. "No, I think it's pretty obvious why I decided to go out with you."

"Because you love me." Sam teased.

Rory glanced at him but saw him smiling softly at him. She bit her lip but nodded. "Yeah. Because I love you." She said softly.

"Good. Because I love you too." Sam said softly, leaning in to kiss her.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and Jess were also on the dance floor. "So, my mom wants to have lunch with us next week..." Jess said as they were dancing.

"Oh, that's nice." Charlotte said. "Isn't it?" She added hesitantly.

"Yeah. I mean I know it's her trying to make an effort. It's just...weird. She's never bothered before." Jess said.

"Well...people can change." Charlotte said glancing over at her dad who was stood with her mom and Luke at the side, smiling as her dad and Luke surprisingly shared a joke.

"Yeah I know." Jess said. "And that's why it got me thinking..."

"About what?" Charlotte asked looking back at him.

"About renewing our vows." He said.

"What?" She said surprised.

"I know couples normally renew vows like after 50 years but I feel like with everything that's happened between us, I want to show you I am 100% committed to you." Jess said.

"Jess, I know you're committed." Charlotte said softly. "You don't need to keep trying to make it up to me. I've forgiven you."

"I know that." He said. "I just...I thought it might be nice. It doesn't have to be big. Just family. And I was thinking you could invite your dad since you didn't invite him to the wedding and I could invite my mom and hope she can make it this time. I know it's out of the blue but it doesn't have to be a big ceremony. I just...I love you. I want to show you that with the renewal of the vows. New times, new era." He said.

Charlotte smiled softly. "I love you too." She said.

"So is that a yes?" He asked.

Charlotte leant forward and kissed him lovingly. "It's a yes." She said softly. "You are my whole world, you know that right?"

"And you're mine." Jess smiled softly, as the song ended and an upbeat one started. "Now let's show everyone how it's done." He smirked twirling her round.

Charlotte laughed. "This reminds me of my debutante!"

Jess chuckled. "You definitely stood out in your trainers."

"And that's why you fell for me." She grinned.

"Exactly." He smirked.

Charlotte glanced over and smiled as she saw Rory and Sam laughing and dancing around goofily as well. "Come on, let's go join the other lovebirds." She grinned.

"Lead the way." Jess grinned.

So that's it! Ahhhhh, I can't believe this has finally come to an end! Thank you so much again for all your support and I hope you enjoyed the last episode! :) Let me know what you think and keep your eyes peeled for the sequel! :)