A/N: Here we are at the end of the story. Thanks to those who have reviewed throughout - always much appreciated. Now, with this last chapter, if you start reading and find yourself confused at any point, please just keep going. I promise, at the end, you'll understand ;)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 10

Washington had been a great experience, but boy, was Rory glad to be home. Phone calls with her mom and letters back and forth with Jess were fine, but they were certainly no substitute for actually being with the people she loved most.

If anyone was in any doubt about how much Rory and Lorelai missed each other, they ought to have seen them meet at Hartford Airport, literally running into each other and falling to the ground in a pile of limbs and fast-paced chatter. Jess and Luke certainly seemed to find them amusing, and it wasn't long before Rory was scrambling to her feet to get to her boyfriend. They shared a kiss she couldn't stand to wait for a moment longer, even if that did mean embarrassing herself in front of her mom and Luke.

"I missed you," Jess whispered in her ear as they parted.

"Well, I'm back now, and trust me, I don't plan on going anywhere else for a really long time." She grinned at him.

"Nice to have you back, Rory," Luke told her then, looking just about as awkward as she ever saw him.

No doubt part of it was thanks to the kissing he just bore witness to, but Rory would bet good money it had something to do with him and her mom also.

"So, Mom said you guys were officially doing the dating thing," she said with a smile that was in no way forced. "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you," he said, nodding once, smiling some himself by then. "I'm happy for us too."

"Not that I'm not thrilled that everybody's so happy, but personally, I'd be happier not standing in the middle of an airport having this conversation," said Jess then.

"He has a point," Lorelai agreed. "Let's get out of here. Now Rory's home, we have one week left of this summer break and a lot to cram into it!"

"That was a really big sigh."

Rory hadn't realised quite how loud she had been until Jess pointed it out to her. Not that she was surprised to find she was huffing out sighs, given the circumstances.

"This last week of summer break has just flown by," she complained, one finger making circles on the fabric of his shirt as he hugged her closer. "I can't believe we have to go back to school tomorrow."

"It's not like either of us is shipping off to 'Nam." She could practically hear the smirk in Jess' voice, but couldn't mind at all as he dropped a kiss on top of her head and pulled her body even closer to his own. "We'll see each other after school and on weekends and everything. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure you'll be in the diner for breakfast most days. We were doing fine before the summer and we'll be just fine after it."

Rory knew he was right. He so often was, but still, she couldn't help but feel bad for all the wasted time.

"I just keep thinking, if I hadn't gone to Washington, or more than that, if I'd realised sooner that I should break up with Dean and-"

"Rory," Jess groaned, encouraging her to lift her head up and meet his eyes. "Please, just stop. You had to go to Washington, and I know deep-down you're glad that you did. As for us getting together sooner, it is what it is. We got here eventually, so you really have to stop making a big deal out of this, okay? Let's just enjoy what we have while we have it and never mind anything else."

When she sighed this time, it was more about contentment than sadness. "Sounds like a plan," she agreed, reaching up to kiss his lips. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Just being you," she assured him, smiling widely, before settling back down with her head on his chest, enjoying the warmth of the sun over the lake, living in the moment for as long as it lasted, just as he suggested she should.

"Okay, so I didn't know that was going to happen."

"Regrets?" asked Jess, looking at her worriedly from the other pillow.

Rory was touched by his concern, realising he might actually be as nervous in this moment as she had been when they started. Reaching out, she ran her fingers through his hair and down his cheek.

"Nope, no regrets," she promised him with a shy smile. "You?"

"Are you crazy?" he asked incredulously. "Rory, with you, I regret nothing. Pretty sure I never will."

"Right answer," she told him, shifting closer and kissing him all over again.

She meant what she said about not knowing it was going to happen. When he came over to hang out for a staying-in movie-night kind of a date, she absolutely had not planned on them ending up in her bed, but it was okay. Rory knew she was ready, was sure that they were in a place where the timing was just right. Jess had been so sweet about it, so absolutely determined she had to be sure and everything. Of course, it was awkward at first, but then it got so good. In fact, Rory could only describe it as wonderful.

He wasn't in the best mood, for days now. It happened sometimes and Rory had learned that in those moments when Jess had his grumpy on it was usually best to leave him be until he got past it. In the end, he always told her what was wrong. Most often it had to do with a call from his mom or maybe even someone at school giving him trouble. Once or twice, he fought with Luke, but that had happened much less in the last few months.

When she and her mom got up to leave the diner that evening, he appeared through the curtain and asked if they could take a walk. Lorelai said she would hang out with Luke a while until they got back, and so, Rory and Jess had headed out together. They hadn't gone far when he finally told her what was on his mind.

"I was talking to Luke about what happens after you and me are done with school. I mean, obviously, you'll be Harvard bound-"

"I hope," Rory cut in.

"Come on, you're a shoo-in." Jess rolled his eyes. "So, you'll go there and that means I'll be here, not going to college, with no plans."

"Hey," said Rory, her hand on his arm pulling him to a halt. "What happened to, 'I'll live where I live and work when I need money'? That was your plan, right?"

"It was." Jess nodded. "But then... well, this happened," he explained, gesturing between them. "Kind of means I don't wanna just go off into the world by myself anymore. Means I wanna be where you are."

He was so oddly bashful when he said it, like he felt stupid for having feelings or something. Rory knew she ought to be used to that by now, but there were plenty of times when Jess had been very clear about how much he cared about her, hardly embarrassed to admit it at all. Unless this was leading up to something else?"

"Jess..."

"I love you, Rory," he finally told her, meeting her eyes and visibly shaking even as he smiled in some sort of apparent relief at his admission. "I really do."

"Oh, Jess. I love you too," she promised, practically falling into his arms as they kissed. "Have you seriously been in this weird mood for days because you wanted to tell me that?"

"Maybe," he admitted, looking sheepish all over again. "I mean you do know that you're the only person I ever said that to and meant it, right?"

Rory felt her eyes filling up with tears she had no control over, and when she nodded her head in answer to his question, those tears streaked down her cheeks unchecked.

"I can't say the same thing, you know that," she told him softly, "but it doesn't mean it's any the less true when I say it to you. I swear, I mean it."

"Hey, I know that you do," he assured her, his hands at her cheeks, thumbs gently wiping away her tears before he kissed her softly, one more time. "So, I guess this solves the problem about the future, huh?"

"It does?" Rory felt confused all over again and was sure it must have shown on her face.

Jess shrugged his shoulders as if it ought to be obvious, but thankfully, he also explained. "You'll go to Harvard, I'll get a place nearby, work as much as I need to for the rent..."

"Nearby? To Harvard?" Rory shook her head in disbelief. "Jess, are you...? Are you saying you want to move to Boston with me?"

"Where else would I be?" he asked, looking incredulous about her question. "Unless you really don't want me to-"

It was as far as he got, before she gave into the urge to crush her lips against his own, her arms tight around him as his also hugged her as close as could be. Of course, it was what she wanted. Rory couldn't think of anything better.

"Seriously? You're going over to his place again? Do you have no self-esteem at all?"

Rory rolled her eyes at Paris' crazy ranting, not even slowing on her way to the dorm-room door.

"Yes, I'm serious, yes, I'm going over to my boyfriend's apartment on the one night in the week when he is not actually working at all, and yes, I do have self-esteem, because I'm a Harvard student and I know I look extremely good in this outfit," she said, turning back from the door at the last and playing flasher with her long coat.

It was funny to watch Paris' eyes go wider than wide at the sight of her friend in something much more revealing than she had probably ever seen her wearing before. Rory didn't think she had much to be ashamed of. Maybe if she was going out walking the streets that way to pick up whoever walked by, there could be some judgement, but she wasn't.

"Wow. Guess I shouldn't expect you home before dawn."

"Probably not," Rory agreed. "You know, if you want, next time you drive down to Princeton, I could lend you the outfit. Better still, send a picture to him and I'm sure Jamie will make the journey here in half the usual time."

"Maybe," Paris agreed, blushing even as she said it. "You know as much as I hate to admit it, I'm so jealous that your boyfriend is close by and mine's not. I mean, obviously, I chose Harvard because it was the best and I'll never regret being here but..."

"I know, I get it." Rory nodded in understanding. "I can't imagine not having Jess in Boston with me. Harvard is great and I'm learning so much, it's a great experience..."

"But if you can have the best of both worlds, why not?"

"Exactly."

"Wow, this is really turning into a major celebration." Lorelai grinned, pouring over the contract Jess had brought home to show off to her and Luke. "Rory with her crazy good grades, you with the publishing deal."

"It's not that big of a deal," Jess insisted, modest as ever about his writing, even though Rory knew it was amazing.

"What he means is the publishing company isn't one of the big ones," she explained to her mom and Luke both. "Just a small press, not Random House or Harper Collins or anything, but it's still a major success," she said definitely, looking at Jess when she emphasised her point. "You know that it is."

"I should, since you keep on telling me every time the subject comes up." He rolled his eyes, but nevertheless drew her closer and planted a kiss on her temple.

"Well, I think it's great," said Luke, handing around the glasses of champagne. "So, congratulations, Jess, and congratulations, Rory."

"And congratulations, Mom and Luke," Rory added, grinning widely as she looked again at the engagement ring on her mother's left hand. "So much for New Years, I cannot see how any year could beat the one we just had."

"I don't know how many more ways to say it! We were just talking about old times, it meant nothing, and I'm sorry I was a little late for dinner."

"I don't care about him. Okay, screw him!" Jess yelled back at her from across the living room. "Tonight was just..."

"Tonight was just, what?" she prompted when he fell silent, wondering all over again what the big deal was.

So, she got talking to an old friend, and yes, it was a male friend who she had to admit she did once share a kiss with, but it was ancient history now, and Tristan knew that as much as she did. It was so ridiculous that Jess was making a big deal out of her getting caught up talking to the guy and being a few minutes late for their dinner reservation. He wasn't usually so insecure, not this far into their relationship.

"Jess?" she tried again, daring to come a little closer to him.

"I had a plan, okay? I know I'm not usually plan guy or... or all that romantic..."

"I wouldn't say that." Rory shook her head, stopping barely a pace from where he was leaning hopelessly against the wall, apparently defeated. "You can be very romantic, and if you had special plans tonight and I ruined them, then I'm sorry, but I really-"

"You wanna marry me?"

At the sound of the sudden question, Rory felt her heart skip a beat. She would have asked him to repeat it, but the words wouldn't come, then suddenly there was a ring box in his hand and her vision was blurry from the tears.

"Oh my... Yes," she said at last. "Yes!"

"Paris Eustace Geller."

As her best friend ascended the stage to receive her diploma, Rory swallowed hard, knowing her turn was imminent, just one more person to be called, and then...

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Mariano."

The cheers and applause from all those she loved most echoed across the lawn as she moved carefully up the steps. Shaking the Dean's hand, she took her diploma, then looked down to smile widely at her mom, her step-dad, and her husband, all thrilled to see her graduate Harvard at last. The sun shone, the birds sang, and Rory couldn't imagine a more perfect day. Even Paris looked happy, though it was strange how she was calling Rory's name without her lips moving.

"Rory? Rory!"

Rory yelped as she jolted awake, just as the captain's voice announced they were coming in for a landing at Hartford Airport.

"What...?"

"Seriously? You sleep like the dead," Paris told her from the next seat over. "And don't even get me started on some of the things you were muttering in your sleep, because I'm not prepared to repeat any of it."

"I didn't... I'm sorry," said Rory absently, taking a while to adjust to her surroundings.

She was on the plane, headed home from Washington. The six weeks seemed to have gone by so quickly and too slowly all at once, and now, they were about to arrive back in Connecticut. Her mom and Jess would be waiting at the airport, just as arranged. Everything else that had happened...

"Seriously now, are you okay?" Paris asked, apparently more than a little concerned for her friend. "You look weird."

"I'm fine," Rory assured her. "It was just a crazy dream," she explained, turning to glance out of the window as a smile took over her face, "but I guess it doesn't have to be," she realised aloud, watching the sun rise in the distance, feeling sure that the future would be bright.

The End

A/N2: If you have any final thoughts on this story, I would love to hear about them in a review :) Now this is done, the next thing you can expect from me is Christmas fic. Yes, there is going to be an Advent Calendar this year, but you will find it in the Crossover section of the site. It is not a crossover, but I have to post it there, because the odd-numbered days will be GG fics and the even-numbered days will be Hart of Dixie fics. Hope that sounds good to you :)