CHAPTER SEVEN:

Later that day, Rory,Lorelai, Luke, Emily, Richard, Sookie, Jackson, Miss Patty, Kirk, and nearly everyone else in Stars Hollow stood in the cemetary, near Christopher's grave where his body was being buried. Even Dean was there. But no Jess.

Before the ceremony started, Rory kept turning around, straining her neck to watch for any appearance of him. She was getting frusturated. Where was he? Was he..she didn't even want to think about it.

As time passed, however, she felt tears at the corner of her eyes, trying to force their way out. She pushed back. How stupid was she? She had thought that he was different, that things would be better.

Just then, she felt a hand slide into hers. "Hey," Jess said breathlessly. He looked like he'd been running all over town, his face flushed, chest heaving, hair just a bit dishelveled.

Apparently, he had. "Here," he gave her a handful of flowers, definitley not from a florist shop. Or even a store, for that matter. She looked at him quizzically. "I um, kinda went flower-picking," he told her. "Sorry I'm late."

Was he too insincere and cheap to actually buy her a bouquet?

"I went to the florist shop, grocery store, yada yada," he explained to her. "But, none of the flowers looked right to give you. They were either too cheery or so depressing they made you want to kill yourself. So I just gathered these. They're both colorful yet in mourning."

Rory now understood his sentiment, and felt touched at the trouble he went to for her."Thank you," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek.

Surprisingly, Rory wasn't hysterical at the funeral like she had been when she had learned of her father's death. That's not to say she didn't cry, because she did.

Afterward, as Jess and Rory walked back, arm in arm near Luke and Lorelai, Dean came up to Rory. He hugged her. " Rory, can we talk?" He asked. Rory nodded. "I'll be a minute," she told Jess.

"What did you want?" She asked Dean as they walked, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Listen, I want you to know that I wasn't dating both you and Lindsey at the same time," he told her, looking her in they eyes. "Today, I did go to get us breakfast. I ran into Lindsey, who wanted to talk. So we did. We needed to. And then she kissed me, which is what you came in at. I would never intentionally hurt you, and I'm sorry that I did. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Rory nodded. "Ok, but you did kiss her back."

"Yeah, I did," Dean admitted, "for like a second, and then I broke away. I'm sorry, Rory."

Rory smiled sadly. "I believe you, but we can't really get back together. I'm back with Jess, and I think you're back with Lindsey, aren't you?"

"We're taking a break," Dean told her. "I still want you and I to be friends, Rory."

"Always," Rory agreed.

************************************************************************ Jess realized how lucky he was to have a second chance. So Lorelai was still cautious of him; she would warm up as time went on. He hoped the rest of Stars Hollow would, too.

He especially felt most fortunate with Rory. They belonged together, and he wouldn't do anything to mess that up. Ever.

A few weeks later, Rory and Jess were walking around town when they saw the church doors fly open. Dean and Lindsey, in a tuxedo and wedding dress, got into a limo that had a 'Just Married' sign on the back.

Rory then knew that she and Jess were meant to be together. Dean was married, and Tristan hadn't returned after boot camp.

Life was pretty good right now. Rory looked over at Jess, and smiled at him.

They reached her house, where she was home alone for the entire weekend. Jess was carrying a bag from a drugstore in another town, so as not to be recognized.

"Shall we?" Jess asked as they reached her porch.

"We shall," Rory unlocked the door, and closed it behind them. There was a sound as she locked the door.

THE END ************************************************************************WELL , I'M SAD TO SAY THAT THE STORY IS OVER, BUT I KNEW THAT IT WAS A GOOD PLACE TO STOP, I DIDN'T WANT TO DRAG IT ON. NOT TO WORRY, AS I AM SURE THAT I WILL BE WRITING MORE FANFIC. SEND FEEDBACK, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE AT CHAD_MILO_HOLIC@YAHOO.COM. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR FEEDBACK, IT MEANT A LOT TO ME AND REALLY HELPED ME LOOK FORWARD TO WRITING MORE, I APPRECIATE IT.