(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)
Epilogue - 4 Years Later
It seemed like something from a badly written romantic comedy, the kind Jess watched with Rory sometimes but swore her to secrecy. Jess looked out across the ocean, wide and almost as blue as a pair of eyes he knew so well and loved so much. Saying goodbye was tough, but this was just a place, one location in the world. It was home, sometimes, because of the people here, but it wasn't the only home he knew anymore. Venice Beach meant a lot to him, but the people that made up his family, his whole family, they meant more to Jess.
"I know you're standing there," he said with a smirk he couldn't help, looking back over his shoulder.
"Sorry," said Rory, shifting awkwardly. "I wanted to give you time, but the cab is due any minute."
"We gotta go." Jess nodded. "It's fine, I'm ready this time," he promised, reaching for her hand and pulling her closer.
Rory came to stand beside him, her arms around his waist. His own arm went around her back and encouraged her head onto his shoulder.
"It is a beautiful view," she said with a sigh.
"I've seen better," he told her, kissing the top of her head. "That rock on your finger is pretty good."
"I think so," Rory agreed with a smile, wiggling the fingers of her left hand so the diamond ring caught the last rays of the setting sun. "A really great guy gave it to me."
"Oh, yeah?" asked Jess, pulling her in front of him, holding her close in his arms. "So, you're gonna marry him?"
"Yes, sir," said Rory, nodding her head. "And like all good stories, we're going to live happily ever after. Me, working at the New York Times, him, a published author of one book, with another out very soon. It's going to be an incredible life."
"I believe that," Jess agreed, leaning in to kiss her lips.
The way she talked about the future, it did sound pretty perfect. There were times in the past four years when he wondered how they would very make it this far, but somehow, they did. He always said they would, but that didn't mean it hadn't been tough, with Rory in Yale and him mostly in California. He did visit, staying at the diner apartment in Stars Hollow every other Christmas and summer, whilst Rory came to Venice for the alternating occasions. Somehow, they made long distance work, no matter how tough. Now they were ready for what came next.
"Y'know, I thought I'd feel bad about leaving here," said Jess as they parted, still holding onto each other yet. "California has been the closest I've known to a real permanent home, but... but now home is wherever you are."
"For me too," said Rory, nodding her head. "We are going to be so happy, Jess. I just know it."
"Yes, we are," he agreed, kissing her again, as the sun disappeared into the Pacific one more time.
The End
