The days turned into weeks, months, and years. Dean continued with Mark in ministry in the teen and then the adult prison facility. Upon his release, Dean began his own ministry to teens dealing with anger issues.

Slowly, but surely, revival had blossomed in Stars Hollow. Hartford hosted a Harvest Crusade, and dozens of townsfolk, including Luke, Lorelai, Miss Patty, Kirk, Andrew, and many more accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. The dynamic around town changed. Miss Patty even gave up smoking for her health.

Liz made a few appearances, but Jess still lived in Stars Hollow instead of returning to New York. Liz visited once in a while, but her life was still on track. She attended Harvest Crusade in New York, and was also saved. She texted Jess during the altar call and said that she had made the most important decision of her life!

Rory and Jess stayed together, and one evening after dinner in the town gazebo, Jess asked Rory to marry him. She gladly accepted, and the two were soon planning their wedding. They invited Dean, but he said he was unable to attend.

The night of the rehearsal dinner, Dean appeared in the town square, where it would be held. He approached Jess and Rory, and handed them a note with a Bible verse. "I know it was over six years ago now," he said, "but this is what cemented how I felt about what I did to you, Jess."

Rory got her Bible from her car and turned to the verse. It was Exodus 21:18-19: "And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed."

Jess and Rory read Dean's note together. It read,

Jess and Rory,

I never repaid you for the time and health you lost all those years ago. Please ask, if you need anything at all, ever, and enclosed is a down payment.

In Him,

Dean

Enclosed, sure enough, was a sizeable check. Both Jess and Rory knew that Dean felt he had to do that for them, and that they had to let him. It was the final atonement for the events of six years before, and it was an unspoken agreement for that event in their lives to be closed. Jess and Rory returned to the festivities, were married the next day, and lived happily ever after.

This is the end, dear readers. I titled the chapter "God" because He is our own happily ever after! I hope you enjoyed the story!