Chapter 12

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. This is the final chapter, but I'm going to put up an Epilogue soon. I already have half written so it won't take long. I hope you all like this chapter.



The small party was great. It was more then anything Jess could ask for. Jess finally had a place where he belonged. He had a home and family. Even if his family only consisted of Luke. Jess had never felt so happy, and alive all together.

Luke walked up to Jess and handed him his gift. "I asked Rory to run to the store to get this. I would have gotten you something better if I had more time," he explained nervously.

"It's fine," Jess reassured him.

The wrapping paper had been rushed so it was a little messy, and the paper had little Christmas trees on it. He opened it to find a shirt. It was a Metallica shirt that said Ride The Lightning.

"Thanks, this is great," Jess said honestly to Luke's worried face.

Luke let out a sigh of relief and said, "Good."

Then Rory blurted out, "Open mine next, open mine next!"

Jess gave her a look, "Yours is the only one next."

"Sorry, I get excited at parties," she said and handed him her gifted.

Rory's gift was wrapped in the same paper, but it was smaller. Inside was a CD from The Ramones. One he didn't have.

"And the verdict is?" Rory asked hopefully.

"It's great, thank you," he replied.

"Now it's time for some cake," Luke said getting up.

"You know, I'm surprised you didn't try to make some kind of healthy cake," Jess commented.

"You only get away with that today because of your birthday you know," Luke told him.

Jess answered, "I know."

After eating Jess and Rory helped to clean up some of the decorations until Luke told them they could go.

"Go outside and enjoy the rest of the day," he told them.

"Sure, see you later," Jess said as Rory and him walked towards the door. Rory walked out first, and before Jess could follow Luke called his name.

"Jess!" he yelled

"What?"

"Happy Birthday," Luke told him with a smile.

Jess smiled back and said, "Thanks."

Then he followed after Rory. He found her waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

"Listening, were you?"

"Of course," she said before walking out with him.

They walked together back to the bridge and sat down together. Just like they had done earlier, but with brighter spirits.

"I'm glad everything worked out," Rory told him.

"Yeah, me too," h e agreed.

He stayed silent for a moment before saying, "I want to thank you."

"For what?"

"For helping me this morning. I wouldn't have been able to tell Luke if it wasn't for you. So, thank you," he told her.

"It was no problem, I'll be here whenever you need someone," Rory said.

"Same goes for me," he said. "Friends?" he asked hopefully. It might not be what he wanted, but that's the best he was going to get. So he would settle for being just her friend.

"No," she stated.

"What?" Jess asked confused.

"I can't be just your friend," Rory told him honestly.

"You can't?"

"No, I can't," she said smiling. Then she did something unexpected, she kissed him softly on the lips. When pulled away, she could see his shocked expression. She smiled at him and said, "Happy Birthday Jess."

His shock turned into happiness and he also smiled. And he kissed her back. This had defiantly been the best birthday ever. Jess was no longer afraid of the day. He was finally happy. Jess had people he cared about and they cared about him too.


The End

A/N: Putting up an Epilogue soon