So this is the last chapter of this second part of my story! I will start the third part of the story hopefully in a couple of days where you will be able to follow the four teenagers through college and Luke and Lorelai's relationship. :)

Chapter 30

"I don't think I've ever been this nervous." Rory said as she stood with Paris at Chilton in the gathering room before their graduation ceremony.

"What, graduating or telling Jess and Tristan about our decision?" Paris said.

"Both." Rory said.

"Same." Paris admitted.

"They're going to be mad." Rory said, biting her lip.

"Oh yeah." Paris nodded. "But it's our decision. We need to make sure they know that. We want this."

"They're going to think we did it because of them though." Rory said.

"Well...we kind of did." Paris smirked.

Rory did smile at that. "Yeah...but it wasn't our only reason." She said. She then sighed. "I guess if we just explain why, they might be happy in the end."

"It'll be fine." Paris said firmly.

Rory laughed. "You always make it so easy for me to believe you."

Paris smirked. "One of my many skills."

Rory grinned. She looked round the room which was full of all their year nervously getting ready for the ceremony, probably secretly hoping they won't trip up on the stage. She looked back at Paris. "You know, I bet neither of us would have ever thought we'd end up being good friends by the end of school." She said.

Paris smiled. "No, probably not."

"And now we're planning our college plans together. I'm thinking I will never get rid of you, Paris Geller." Rory joked.

Paris smirked. "Weird huh?" She said.

"But nice." Rory smiled. "I'm glad we became friends."

Paris smiled. "Me too."

"For one, it would be extremely weird if we were still enemies since you're dating Jess." Rory smirked.

Paris laughed. "Extremely."

Rory grinned. "Come on, let's go find the boys."

"They've just come in." Paris said pointing over to where Jess and Tristan had entered in their robes.

"Let's go!" Rory grinned heading over to them. "Hey!" She said giving Tristan a kiss.

"Hey! We've been looking for you two." Tristan smiled.

"We've been in here the whole time." Paris said, giving Jess a quick kiss as well.

"Oh I've got a surprise for you by the way!" Rory grinned at Tristan.

"Intrigue. What surprise?" Tristan asked.

"Tristan!" A voice called from behind them.

"Think your surprise has just arrived." Rory said.

Tristan turned round and was surprised to see Chloe, Tom and the kids coming towards them. "Wha...How? What are you doing here?" He asked.

"You think I'd miss my baby bro's graduation day? Especially when he's salutatorian!" Chloe exclaimed.

"How did you know about that?" Tristan asked but then turned to Rory. "You told her..."

"Thought you'd like them here." She said.

"I can't believe the two of you are in cahoots already." He smirked.

"Uncle Tristan, are we a nice surprise?" Ellie asked beaming up at him.

He smiled at his niece and nephew. "You're the best surprise ever." He said sincerely giving Ellie a hug and ruffling Harry's hair. He shared a look with Rory. "Thanks." He said to her. He then smiled at Tom and held out his hand. "Tom, it's good to see you again."

"You too. I hear you're going to become our temporary guest in our new house before college." Tom smiled pleasantly.

"Yep. If that's still ok?" Tristan said.

"Of course. It would be nice to have some help with these two. They can't wait for you to come." Tom chuckled.

Tristan chuckled. "Well the feeling's mutual."

Suddenly a loud bell rang signalling that the ceremony was about to begin.

"We'll catch up later." Chloe smiled giving Tristan a big hug before disappearing off.

The four teenagers looked at each other and smiled. "This is it." Rory said. "End of an era."

"And the start of a new one. You two at Harvard and us at Yale. It's going to be great." Tristan said.

Rory and Paris shared a look and smiled. They then all headed off outside to find their seats.

"Firstly, we'll hear from our salutatorian. This student has worked extremely hard to get where he is and we were very proud when we found out that Yale had offered him a scholarship. So without further ado, please welcome to the stage, Tristan DuGrey!" Headmaster Charleston announced.

Rory squeezed her boyfriend's hand and smiled at him. "Good luck." She said.

Tristan smiled at her and slowly walked up to the stage. He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and looked out at the audience, taking a deep breath. He spotted Chloe, Tom and the kids sitting near Rory's family and gave them a small smile. He glanced down at the paper in front of him and started talking. "I am the first to admit that I didn't start off well here at Chilton. I was struggling with my own stuff and also got in with the wrong crowd and I was...well I was a mess." He admitted. He took another deep breath before continuing. "But I soon made some really good friends. Some very special." He said glancing down at Rory, Jess and Paris who gave him an encouraging smile. "I started to realise my life was worth living rather than wasting and I actually got down to work in my lessons and started studying hard to improve my grades. And amazingly, it worked. I was shocked when I found out I was on course to be salutatorian and was able to go to Yale on a scholarship. So overall, I'd like to thank Chilton for making me realise my potential." He said. He glanced down at his last paragraph and took yet another breath knowing this was the bit making him most nervous. He looked back up at the audience and sought out Chloe. "There's a few people I'd like to thank. My sister and her family flew over especially to be here today and I am so happy they could be. Chloe is the best sister you could ask for and she's helped me become the person I am now." He said. He stopped for a moment to give his sister a grateful smile before continuing. "The last person I'd like to thank probably doesn't even know how much I appreciate what they've done for me especially in the last year and a bit. We didn't start off on the best foot. I know for a fact he hated me." Tristan chuckled slightly nervously. "But we started getting on, albeit grudgingly on his side, but I want him to know how much I've always respected him. He is an extremely selfless person and he really helped me out in a tough time of my life and he was there when I most needed someone. So...uh...Luke..." Tristan said finally plucking up courage to pick him out in the crowd and was met with a stunned expression. "Thanks. I know we've only known each other for a few years but you have no idea how much I needed male role model in my life and I can't think of anyone better." He said sincerely. He saw Lorelai turn to Luke and smile, leaning her head on his shoulder. Tristan felt his voice go a bit shaky, probably from his nerves. "So thank you. I owe you so much." Tristan said. He took a deep breath before smiling at the audience and then stepping down to head off the stage. He was met with claps and cheers.

He sat back down next to Rory who looked at him adoringly and he could have sworn he'd seen some tears in her eyes. "Amazing." Rory whispered.

Tristan gave her a small smile. "I had to thank him."

"He'll be touched." Rory said softly.

"And now..." Headmaster Charleston's voice boomed out again. "Our last speech comes from our valedictorian. She transferred from another school and has since excelled in every part of the school. She is an exceptional student and a respected person. Ladies and gentleman, Rory Gilmore!"

Rory went up nervously and placed her speech in front of her just like Tristan had done. "How can I follow that?" She chuckled nervously. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing. "Like Tristan, I didn't start off great here either. I struggled to catch up with all the work here and I didn't really fit in either. But gradually with constant work and determination, I managed to improved my grades and start to do better in my classes. I met some great people who encouraged and supported me." She said smiling at Paris and Tristan. "I'd like to give out some thanks as well. Firstly, to my friends, who have really challenged me to do my best and have made me a better student because of it." She said sharing a smile with Paris and then another one with Tristan. "Secondly, to my family." She said, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "Jess, you're my best friend and you're more like a brother than a cousin to me. You've always been there for me no matter what. So thank you. I'm so happy I could share this experience with you." She said her voice cracking a bit sharing a smile with Jess, blinking back tears as she did. "To my brother and sister who are the best siblings I could ever ask for and who will, I'm certain, will do amazing things as well." She smiled at Katie and LJ who were sat beaming at her. "To my mom..." She said her voice definitely cracking now. "Even though you weren't physically there at the beginning of my life, I feel like you were. In my heart. Mom, I love you so much and thank you...thank you for not giving up on me." Rory said exchanging a heartwarming look with Lorelai, who had tears falling down her cheek. Rory took a moment to compose herself and then changed her gaze to her dad. "Dad, you're amazing. You've never told me I couldn't be who I wanted to be or do whatever I wanted to do. You've supported me no matter what and you've been the best dad I could have asked for. Thank you. I love you so much." She said her voice cracking for yet another time. She took another shaky breath before glancing at her last paragraph which she knew would be her hardest to get out. "I've got my grandparents here today." She said glancing over at Emily and Richard. "Although it hasn't always been the smoothest journey, I am really grateful that they are here today to celebrate with me." Rory took another deep breath and tried to compose herself. "But Jess and I really wanted to mention our other grandparents, who very sadly couldn't be here with us today." She said swallowing the lump in her throat. "We lost our Grandpa when we were much younger but our Grandma only passed away recently. They were amazing, selfless people and really deserved a mention today." Rory glanced up at the sky. "Thank you for supporting us everyday and giving us someone to confide in and get advice from. We love you and we're sorry you couldn't be here today." She took one last breath before smiling out at the audience. "I wish everyone the best of luck in whatever they do next. So let's get graduated!" She joked making everyone laugh. She finally stepped off the stage, sharing a hug with Jess before sitting back down.

"Mom! Dad!" Rory smiled rushing up to her parents as they waited outside to greet them all.

Lorelai brought Rory into a hug tightly. "You were amazing up there. I am so proud of you hon." She said sincerely.

"Thanks mom." Rory said softly. She smiled as she saw her mom embrace Jess and then even Tristan and Paris so she turned to her dad. "How'd I do?" She asked quietly.

Luke just put his arms round her and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm so proud of you." He said emotionally. "You didn't need to thank me though." He said gruffly.

Rory laughed at that. "Yes I did." She said.

"She wasn't the only one to thank you." Lorelai commented hearing the end of their conversation.

"I know." Luke said gruffly, glancing over at Tristan who was standing awkwardly by them. "You didn't have to thank me either."

"I did." Tristan said. "I meant it. Every word. I know I've had to do a lot to get your approval and I totally understand why. But I needed to thank you. You've done so much for me when you didn't need to. I think in the past year or two, I've realised why Rory thinks the world of you." He said awkwardly. "I needed to thank you."

Rory watched her dad closely and was surprised but happy when she saw him hold a hand out to Tristan to shake. Tristan shook it but to everyone's greater surprise, Luke brought him in for a manly hug.

"You're a good kid." Luke said gruffly. "I'm glad Rory found you."

"Uh...thanks.." Tristan said surprised.

"You'll do great things at Yale." Luke said.

"I hope so." Tristan said giving him a small smile.

They were soon joined by Sookie and Jackson, Chloe, Tom and the kids and Emily and Richard. Presents were handed out including four first class plane tickets to Europe so that they could enjoy an all round trip during the summer together before going off to college.

Rory, Paris, Jess and Tristan were sat outside the Crap Shack on the porch. They had all gone back to Stars Hollow to celebrate with the townspeople with a party. The party had since quieted down a bit so the four teenagers had escaped outside for a bit.

"So...uh...we have something to tell you..." Rory said nervously to the two boys.

"Why do I have a feeling we won't like it?" Tristan asked, raising his eyebrows.

"No, you will! Or you will...eventually..." Rory said.

"It's a good thing. Or at least we look at it as a good thing." Paris helped Rory.

"What is it?" Jess asked as dubiously as Tristan.

Rory took a deep breath. "Paris and I have decided that..uh..we're going to Yale..." She said.

"What?" Tristan and Jess said in unison.

"We know you wanted us to go to Harvard and I know we've been going on about nothing but Harvard but..." Rory said.

"It's too far away." Paris said quietly.

"So you're doing it for us." Tristan said glancing at Jess.

"Partly, yes." Rory admitted. "But it's also too far from home. I don't want to be so far from mom and dad, and Katie and LJ." She said. She looked at them both. "I know Harvard has been my dream since god knows when but...I guess my life's changed." Rory said honestly. "Yes Harvard's amazing but Yale has amazing courses too and is just as respected."

"We want this." Paris added. "It was our decision and we really want this."

Tristan and Jess exchanged glances as the girls held their breath. Tristan sighed. "So long as this isn't just for us..." He said.

"It's not." Rory shook her head adamantly. "I mean, we looking forward to being in the same place as you guys but we have thought a lot about this."

"Yeah we didn't decide this just like that. We've been talking about it for a while." Paris nodded. She glanced at Jess. "Won't it be pretty cool that we'll be in the same place?"

Jess sighed. "I guess..." He conceded.

"You guess?" Paris raised her eyebrows.

"Oooh dear..." Tristan smirked.

"I just...you would do amazing at Harvard." Jess told Paris.

"And I will do just as well at Yale but I will be doing it with my boyfriend." She said.

Jess did smile at that. "That does sound good." He admitted.

"We want this." Rory repeated and Paris nodded in agreement.

Tristan and Jess exchanged glances and this time smiled at each other. "Ok." Tristan said.

"Ok?" Rory questioned.

"You're right. This is your choice. And I have to admit, going to college with my girlfriend and friends sounds pretty appealing to me." Tristan smiled.

"Yeah it does." Jess admitted. He smiled at Paris. "I'm glad you'll be there."

Paris smiled. "Good."

"Let's make a toast." Rory suggested holding up her glass. "To our future, whatever it may hold. Onwards and upwards to our next adventure."

"Onwards and upwards!" They all echoed, all taking a drink before both couples shared a kiss.

So that's the end of season 3! Keep your eyes open for the next part in the next couple of days! I really hope you've enjoyed this second part! :) Please review and let me know what you think of my last chapter, thanks! :)