A/N: We're almost there, kids. One more chapter after this and that's a wrap... until the sequel ;) Thanks for the continued awesome feedback. Y'know I love it all! :) Now, time for prom!

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 30

Time seemed to pass like a whirlwind in the weeks that followed. Rory found she spent most of her time studying, either by herself or with Jess and Paris. Finals were everything and needed so much attention if they were all going to pass and go to Yale. Rory wasn't sure if she was nervous or excited or freaked out about the prospect of college. All she did know was that it felt a lot less scary every time she remembered that she would have Jess and Paris right there with her, at a school that wasn't so far from home.

In amongst the stress came one event after another. A miracle happened and Mrs. Kim agreed to let Dave take Lane to her Senior Prom. A tragedy happened when Fran Weston died, but the silver lining to that particularly dark cloud was that Lorelai and Sookie had a chance to buy the Dragonfly. A very strange occurrence followed as Dean and Lindsay got engaged.

"Seriously, this month deserves the 'weirdest in the calendar' award," said Rory, as Lorelai worked on fixing her hair for her. "It's like everything has happened all at once and none of it makes any sense!"

"I'll agree with that," her mother said distractedly, pinning up a final curl. "And I think we're done here. Take a look, hon," she said, urging her daughter to turn towards the mirror.

The sight that met Rory's eyes was amazing to her. It seemed wrong to consider herself beautiful, but her mom had done an incredible job on her hair and make-up, and an even more impressive effort had gone into the dress Rory was wearing tonight. There had definitely been a lot of crazy going on these past few weeks, but tonight was all out special. Rory and Jess, and Paris and Jamie, were all headed out to the Chilton Prom, and it was going to be amazing.

"Mom, thank you!" said Rory, admiring her dress and hairstyle in the mirror. "This is... Not wanting to go all cliché or anything, but I feel like a princess."

"How else is a girl supposed to feel on prom night?" asked Lorelai, hugging her close. "You just have the best time tonight, okay, hon? You deserve it."

Rory did her best not to tear up, knowing she would ruin her makeup if she did. Her mom meant so much to her, and she just did so much for her. It made her feel bad about before and she couldn't help but mention it one more time, even though Lorelai had insisted she should let it go.

"You're sure you're not still mad about the money thing?"

"Rory, it's fine," she insisted. "Do I love that you committed yourself to the rigid structure of Friday Night Dinners again by borrowing money from my parents for Yale? No, I don't," she admitted. "But I know you had good reasons. You made a sacrifice for me and I appreciate the gesture, even if I think you might be a little crazy for doing it."

"All the best people are crazy," Rory insisted, eyes smiling as much as her mouth was.

"You bet they are, kid," Lorelai agreed, hugging her tight one more time and kissing her forehead.

A car on the gravel outside caught their attention and Lorelai rushed to the window.

"It's Luke and Jess," she said, grinning. "Now, you wait here, just like we talked about."

Rory groaned and complained but did as she was told, walking a few paces around her mom's bedroom and watching her dress catch the light. It really was beautiful. Lorelai was an amazing seamstress, no doubt about that. Of course Rory thought it was a little nutty that her mom insisted that getting ready for Prom took place in her room upstairs rather than Rory's own room downstairs, purely so she could do the cliché teen movie stairway entrance in her dress.

"Rory! Your date is here!" Lorelai called from the living room.

Jess winced at the volume, but didn't say anything. Mostly he was happy that Lorelai hadn't made too big of a deal about the sight of him in a tux. Luke already did every joke under the sun, twice. Of course, Jess stopped caring about what he looked like or how much this night might potentially suck the second he caught sight of Rory. She was a vision in a flowing gown that sparkled in the light and showed every possible shade of blue as she descended the staircase like a princess. Jess didn't realise he had his mouth open until Luke slapped him on the back and told him so.

"Wow!" he said as Rory reached his side. "You look... incredible," he decided on eventually.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she told him happily. "Very handsome."

"They are a beautiful couple," Lorelai told Luke. "Okay, picture time!"

Jess was back to wincing as he was forced to pose for at least five photographs, before mercifully the limo arrived and he and Rory could leave. The couple hurried out to the car, in which Paris was already yelling for them or move their asses and Jamie was looking amused about his girlfriend's behaviour.

Luke and Lorelai waved them off from the porch. They had plans for a night in whilst the kids were out having fun, something they were probably looking forward to just as much as the teens were looking forward to their prom. In spite of the enjoyment planned for the evening, Luke couldn't help but notice Lorelai seemed a little sad. She sighed and let her head drop onto his shoulder.

"You okay?" he checked, kissing her hair.

"Sure, yeah," she confirmed, staring after the limo yet. "Rory mentioned the money from her grandparents again," she said with a further sigh.

Luke hated that anything was making her unhappy, it just didn't sit right with him.

"Y'know, if you really don't want them involved again, I could help out," he offered. "I'm not saying I could cover it all, I have Jess' tuition to pay also, but I could pitch in for Rory, or for the inn so you had a little extra. Whatever you need."

Lorelai lifted her head off his shoulder to look at Luke. He meant it. She never suspected for a moment that Luke would ever say anything to her that he didn't absolutely mean, but this was a big deal. She knew he had money squirreled away, and he probably could help her out if she let him. As it was, she couldn't accept. He was her boyfriend, it would make things way too awkward if she started accepting a loan like that, but the fact he would offer meant so much.

Luke was always there for her, even before they started dating. She tried to be there for him too, but he was the rock in their relationship, steadfast and reliable. He was always trying to make things the best they could be, for Lorelai, for Rory, for Jess. He really was the most amazing man and Lorelai knew in that moment more than any other that she loved him, completely and absolutely, and always would.

"Luke, will you marry me?"

The decorating committee for the Chilton Prom had really gone all out. The venue was beautiful, covered in lights and streamers and such. The music actually didn't suck, and Rory didn't have quite so much trouble getting Jess to dance as she thought she would. They talked with some of their friends and class-mates, laughed at those they didn't care for however unkind it might be, and generally had a great time.

In the middle of the dance floor, slow dancing in her boyfriend's arms, Rory was sure she had never been happier and said as much to Jess.

"Tonight is so great, better than I even expected," she confessed. "I mean, yes, I would've probably preferred the Stars Hollow High Prom with Lane and Dave and everyone, but this is cool too. At this point, it'd probably feel just as weird to be without Paris and Jamie actually."

Jess didn't say anything in reply. He only smiled at her words and marvelled at how amazing she was. Rory was like no other girl he ever met, and he loved her more than he ever knew he could love anyone. He wasn't exactly thrilled to be dressed in a monkey suit, hanging out in a too expensive hall with a bunch of stuck-up society snobs from a school he didn't care for, but all in all it didn't suck. Rory was here in his arms, Paris was nearby and looking like she was having a pretty good time. There was no bad when he looked at it that way.

"I still think it's amazing how far we've all come," said Rory then, "and the next stop is Yale."

"After Summer vacation, thank God!" Jess noted. "Geez, I need a break from all of this for a while."

"I have to admit, I am looking forward to Europe with my mom, even though I am going to miss you, obviously," Rory confessed. "Did you decide on California yet?"

"I think I'm gonna go." Jess nodded. "How bad can it be, right?

Rory smiled at that, she couldn't help herself. The next thing Jess knew she was throwing herself further into his arms and kissing him soundly on the lips.

"Not complaining, but what was that for?"

"Because I love you, you idiot," she told him with laugher in her voice that died the moment their eyes met. "I really do."

Jess couldn't resist kissing her then, with just as much passion as she had done a moment before.

"You're amazing, Rory Gilmore, you know that right? I never thought anybody could convince me to put on a suit and go to a dance like this, but hey, here we are."

"I guess I am pretty cool," she considered with a smile.

"You are. One of many reasons why I love you."

Rory blushed just like always at the sound of such a compliment, but that didn't mean she didn't love hearing just how highly her boyfriend thought of her, just how much he loved her. Glancing away from his intense gaze, her eyes landed on Paris, curled in close to Jamie and smiling like an idiot. Actually, they were both looking pretty goofy right now, and it was beautiful.

"They look so happy."

"Yeah, " Jess agreed, looking over at his sister and her boyfriend, "that doesn't suck."

"Jamie really is a nice guy," Rory insisted, knowing that even now Jess had trouble accepting it.

"I know," he admitted with a sigh. "I just worry about her, that's all. And if you say that's sweet, I'm leaving," he warned, only half-joking, Rory was sure.

"It's very manly to care that much," she said as seriously as she could, though it clearly didn't come easy.

Jess smirked. "Right answer."

Then he kissed her one more time, lifting her clear off the ground as he spun her around and around. Rory felt like she was on top of the world, and it felt good.

To Be Continued...