A/N:: Well, the time has come. Yup, this is the last chapter, and this time I'm not lying. LOL I know I kept saying 'only a few chapters left' and then I just kept writing. But this is definitely the LAST chapter. So let me know what you think, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you guys. Also, thanks again for the reviews. ILoveJess, thanks for coming back to my story, and thanks for yur awesome reviews. ;)

Chapter 14 - Teary Eyes

Eight hours later, Mom and I were sitting at Luke's in front of the counter exactly where we had previously sat last night.

Mom was attempting to start a game of bagel hockey with me, but I wasn't paying attention. The bagel she sent sailing across the counter flew right past me and fell on the floor.

Luke walked over, pausing to whisper in Mom's ear, "You're paying for that."

She instantly spun around on the stool so she was now facing him. Kissing him quickly but firmly on the lips, she asked, "I'm sorry, what?"

"You're uh—you're..." Mom kissed him again, almost teasingly. "You're coffee's on the house."

Her face broke into a grin, and he smiled back, going to take someone's order.

"Did you hear that? I get free coffee today," Mom announced, reaching for the coffeepot that Luke had set down.

"Not all day, just the one cup was free," he called.

"Drat." She looked at me. "What are you and Jess going to do while we get the party ready?" she asked curiously.

I shrugged. "We'll probably just go to the bookstore, then sit on the bridge and read awhile."

"That sounds like fun."

I nodded wordlessly.

"Ror? What's wrong?"

It seems like everyone's been asking me that lately.

"I know it's selfish, but..."

"You wish he remembered all the stuff that happened after the coma," she finished.

I nodded. Mom and I always were on the same page. She always knew what I was thinking.

"Sweetie, it's natural. Not selfish at all. In fact, it's to be expected. Don't worry about it. Really," she added, seeing my doubtful expression.

And she always knew just what to say to make me feel better.

I smiled, giving her a hug. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

A few minutes later, Luke left to get Jess. I started to grow nervous at the thought of seeing Jess, and Mom decided I needed to take my mind off of it, so she suggested a game of bagel hockey.

I laughed. "I am beginning to wonder why we ever came up with that game."

"For times like this. Come on, let's play." She went over and picked the bagel off the floor. "We might as well use the same bagel."

Grinning, I set up the 'goal posts' and we started the game.

About half an hour later, Luke's truck pulled in front of the diner. He and Jess came into the diner, and Jess was immediately the center of attention. Everyone looked up and smiled at him, most of them calling out greetings. He even received a few hugs, which he awkwardly and uncomfortably accepted.

After glancing around for a moment and noticing that everyone was still staring at him, Jess turned to Luke. "I'm feeling another weird sense of déjà vu," he said under his breath. "Can we go?"

I stood up and walked over. "Actually, I was hoping you'd want to go to the bookstore with me? I've read and reread everything in my room, and I need some new books."

"I can lend you something," he offered.

"What? No, I—well, okay. I just really wanted to go to the bookstore."

"Let's go."

I smiled. "Great, let me grab my coat." I walked back over to Mom, who handed me my coat.

"Three o'clock," she hissed.

I nodded, wlking back over to Jess. He opened the door for me, and we left the diner.

"Thanks for coming with me," I called to Jess, who was a few aisles over, searching the bookshelves as I was.

"No problem. You can never have too many books, right?"

"No, you can't."

We were quiet for awhile, each determined to find the perfect book. We caught up to each other a few minutes later, and I nodded at the book in his hand. I was curious to see what he had found, since I hadn't found anything so far.

"What's that?"

"I don't know, never heard of it." He handed it to me.

I looked it over. "Me either. It sounds interesting, though."

"Have you found anything yet?" he asked me.

"No, not a thing."

"Here. I'll help you find something."

And so, side by side, we looked through the rows of books until I had found one that sounded interesting. After purchasing the books, we headed outside, and I led the way to the bridge. He followed me, not even needing to ask where we were going.

We sat next to each other, opening our books and engrossing ourselves with its unique tale. After about ten minutes, Jess shut his book.

"Rory?"

"Hm?" I didn't look up from my book.

"Can we talk?"

"Mm hm," I mumbled, still not looking up.

"Can you put the book down?"

"Mm."

Jess gently took the book from my hands and set it down next to his. I looked at him expectantly.

"Okay, sorry, you have my attention."

"Thanks."

He didn't say anything else for a minute, and it seemed like now that he had my attention, he didn't know what to do with it. I don't think he thought very far beyond actually getting my nose out of my book.

"Do you want to talk about why—"

"I kissed you at Sookie's wedding?"

"Yeah."

"It wasn't planned."

"Be that as it may, that still doesn't explain why you did it," he pointed out. "There had to have been some sort of reason behind it. I mean, you're still with Dean."

"Not anymore."

"Right. You were," he corrected.

"Well, I...I missed you," I said lamely.

"Rory, there's something I want to tell—"

"Shoot, what time is it?" I asked, cutting him off.

He glanced down at his watch. "Five 'til three," he responded.

"Oh, we should probably be heading back."

He sighed. "Alright."

Once we reached the diner, I could tell that Jess was already suspicious of something. Whether he suspected the party or not, I don't know.

Noticing that all the blinds on the windows were closed, he turned to me. "Okay, what's up?" he demanded.

"Go in and see," I said mysteriously. Then, nervously, I lowered my voice and added, "Don't be mad."

He made a face, and I practically had to drag him across the street to the diner. He opened the door, and—

"Surprise!"

Everyone in town, it seemed, had shown up for Jess's party. I realized that I didn't even recognize a lot of the faces.

"What," Jess started, looking around at everyone, "is this."

"It's your party, silly," Mom declared. "We're glad you're okay."

Jess looked at Luke, who threw up his hands defensively. "I had nothing to do with this," Luke protested. "It was all her." He pointed at Mom. She stared at him in open-mouthed shock.

"What? You thought it was a great idea!" He started to argue, but she interrupted him. "You offered to lend your diner for the party."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Luke glanced at Jess, stage whispering, "She's crazy." He moved his finger in circles by the side of his head, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Mom stared at me accusingly. "Rory! Back me up here!"

"I'm staying out of it."

"Fine," she pouted. She brightened up, however, when Luke brought out the coffee. He sure knew the way to a girl's heart. Mom and Luke walked over to the corner of the diner, speaking to each other in low voices.

Someone put on music, and people started dancing. It was hard, since the diner was packed, but it didn't look like anyone minded.

Jess held out a hand to me, and I grasped it in my own, letting him lead me out onto the makeshift dancefloor. One glance over my shoulder at Mom and Luke told me that they had had the same idea. Mom rested her head on Luke's shoulder, her eyes closed.

I bit my lip as Jess's arm circled around my waist, bringing me closer and snapping my mind back to him. I slowly looked up at him, and his eyes met with mine. His face was now inches away from mine, and looking into his eyes like this, it was like I was looking right into his soul. Gradually, he inched even closer. I could feel his warm breath on my face. I closed my eyes in anticipation, and he didn't keep my waiting long. His lips lightly brushed across mine.

My eyelids fluttered open as I realized that that was all I was going to get. A little taste of what, in the past few weeks, I had grown accustomed to receiving.

I felt Jess pull away slightly, and I gazed at him in confusion. Had I done something wrong?

He quited my fears with his next words. "I have something for you," he whispered in my ear.

My eyes sparkled. "It's your party, I should have something for you."

He smiled in response, reaching for my hand. Wordlessly, he led me outside. He walked over to Luke's truck and reached inside through the open window. Seconds later, I was being handed a carefully wrapped package. I took it in my hands and looked up at him again.

He nodded at my present. "Open it," he instructed.

I didn't need to be told twice. I ripped the paper off the box I held and, opening the box, I pulled out what was inside. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes fell on what I had just unwrapped.

"You remembered," I breathed, looking to him for an answer.

He smiled down at me, and I felt my eyes well up with sudden tears. He wiped them away, and I closed my eyes as his hand touched my cheek. I felt his lips brush my forehead, and it was at that moment, I realized that my Jess was back. He was back, and so was his memory, and I had never felt as happy as I did right now.

I opened my eyes, glancing down at the snow globe in my hands. All I could think was how elated I was, and how grateful I was that he remembered. Grateful that he remembered me.

I felt content in his arms, and I couldn't wait to see what there was in store for us in the future. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to.

A/N:: Well?? How was the ending?? I actually like it, but I'm biting my fingernails, wanting to know if it was good enuff in you guys' eyes. So please review and let me know. I'm excited to be finished with this story, even though it was fun to write. But now I get to work on a new story. I already have the first chapter done, so expect it to be up soon. ;)