Lorelai POV
3 Years Later

A lot had changed in the last few years.

We had moved into a larger house in Stars Hollow; while I loved the Crap Shack, it wasn't big enough with the three kids. April lived with us half of the time, Jess had left after school finished and Rory was leaving today.

While Jess had graduated and had a lot of options, he had decided to travel for a bit before settling on what he was going to do, but I also knew he had been writing short fictional stories, inspired by Rory's insistence that he could do anything he wanted. He had also become more dedicated to building a real future after we adopted him. Liz was easily swayed into giving up her rights as a parent and when he officially became ours, he cried.

And Rory was going to Yale, joined by Tristan. They had told each other their choice at the same time, making them laugh at the fact they had picked the same school for similar reasons. Rory was majoring in journalism, and Tristan was majoring in biochemistry. They were still a very solid couple, and I knew he wanted to marry her. I didn't know if they were going to make it through college, but I knew he could keep her happy.

"You ready to go?" I asked her, and she nodded.

"I've got everything, but I need to say goodbye to dad, first," She told me, her bag on her shoulder.

Luke had been acting strange for the last week or so. I knew that it was the fact that his baby girl was leaving and he wasn't ready for it, but he wasn't dealing with it very well and was definitely avoiding her. I was hoping to keep it together until she was settled in her dorm, but I didn't know if I could.

"Walk there, I'll drive the truck," I told her, taking the heavy bag from her. She walked off and I put the bag into the truck before getting in.

I stalled a bit to give them a few minutes, and when I got there, they were both crying. He had his arms around her, breathing in her scent and savouring the last few moments he had. Our eyes locked, and he nodded; it's time. He loosened his grip and she stepped away as he spoke in a low voice that I couldn't hear.

"I'm going to be okay, Dad," She promised, "I'll be fine."

"I know," He said, kissing her forehead, "But I'm going to worry about you anyway. It's my job."

She laughed, before draining her coffee, "I'll see you soon. I love you."

"I love you too, baby girl."

She walked past me and to the truck, getting in. He gave me a kiss and a thermos and watched us drive away. Just before we drove out of sight, Rory stuck her head out the window and waved, and when I looked at him, I saw him drying his eyes.

"I wanted to tell her to stay," Luke admitted that evening. We had just had a very quiet dinner together at home, the first of many without the children. The only time we really ever ate without one of them was when we were on a date, and now, it was going to be the new normal.

I paused for a moment, before continuing with the dishes, "I think that's normal."

He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my middle, resting his head on my shoulder, "I hated it when Jess left, but this... I miss her so much that I feel sick. I didn't feel this bad when she spent 6 weeks in DC, so why do I feel it now?"

"I think it's different for you and Rory - she is the one who made you a dad, and she's your baby girl. But, she's just left home. She's gone off to college and even though she's close by, this isn't her home anymore and she probably won't be coming back. Not to live anyway," I explained, "Jess is travelling but will be back in a few months, and she won't be."

He sighed as I put the last dish on the drying rack, "I guess she's all grown up now."

"She's still got a bit of growing to do," I said with a chuckle. I turned around in his arms, "But, the kids being gone gives us a bit of freedom."

He laughed and then kissed me deeply, knowing exactly where I was going with that.

The End

AN: I'm crying, just a tiny bit. I loved writing this story, both of them, and while I do have multiple one-shots written for within this universe, I don't know if I'll be posting them... maybe one day. I hope you loved this year-long journey as much as I did.