Disclaimer: This story is solely for entertainment purposes. Mostly my own. I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of its characters, not even Jess Mariano (even though I wished for him for my birthday). I also lay no claim to Grizzly Bear, The Kinks, Allen Ginsberg's "Howl", "The Fountainhead" or any other cultural references: music, literary, or other. Hell, I don't even own a real leather jacket.

A/N: Welp, I finally finished! Thanks to everyone who read and commented on my story. I hope to start another one soon, but for now, I'm going to bask in the fact that, despite it taking three years, I finally finished this story! Thanks again everyone!

Ever After You
by FuriousRose920

Epilogue

One year later.

It was the perfect summer night in Stars Hollow. The stifling heat of the day had given way to a warm, breezy evening as soon as the sun had set, leaving stars dotting the clear night sky. And it just so happened that on this perfectly perfect evening, the town of Stars Hollow was celebrating the perfectly perfect union of a pair of on-again-off-again-on-again-forever lovers.

The town square was lit with string lights that hung delicately from trees and buildings and even gazeboes. Townspeople were in the throws of celebration, drinking, eating and dancing to their hearts' content. After all, it wasn't often that the town was invited to partake in such a regal affair. A Gilmore Wedding was an event not to be missed.

It could be known by nothing else but a Gilmore Wedding, as no surname could live up to the royalty that was a Gilmore in Stars Hollow - no matter how well-liked the groom had eventually become, or at the very least, not openly disdained.

The bride was positively glowing from happiness, and even the normally-grumpy groom carried a genuine smile, which somehow became even bigger every time he looked at his wife. Every now and again, his eyes became thoughtful as he realized that he'd finally gotten it right this time.

"Luke, are you OK over there?" Rory asked the groom with a smile as she appeared by his side.

"Definitely. Just trying to figure out how I tricked your mom into marrying me after all these years."

"I'm guessing love potion," Lorelai piped up, from over Luke's shoulder. "I caught him watching reruns of Charmed the other day. I'm pretty sure he's been taking notes."

"Hey! I was not watching Charmed! I told you, I was flipping through the channels and I thought it was just a weird episode of CSI!"

"Sure hun. You are aware that CSI: Hogwarts isn't an actual thing, right?"

"Excuse us for a minute, Rory," Luke grumbled. "We have to go find the minister and get this whole thing annulled. I think I've made a huge mistake." Luke pulled Lorelai away in mock seriousness, though he was unable to keep the smile from creeping back onto his face.

"Does this mean I can keep the wedding gift I bought for you?" Rory yelled after them.

"Sure thing, hun! Go nuts!" Lorelai called back at her before Luke took her out of Gilmore vocal range.

"Score! A new toaster!" Rory congratulated herself as she walked back over to her table, smoothing the strapless, cotton Maid of Honor dress.

"What's this I hear about a new toaster?" Jess asked, pulling her onto his lap as she arrived at her destination.

"Oh, Luke and mom are getting their marriage annulled as we speak and they told me I could keep the wedding gift I bought."

"Nice. You think that means I can keep the coffee machine I got 'em?"

"I'd say you're in the clear." Rory smiled as she leaned her head against Jess. He responded with a light kiss on her bare shoulder.

It had been almost a year to the day since they had finally decided to be together - for real this time. No holds barred. Giving it everything they had. A year of mostly bliss, and the occasional fight (that tended to always end in another form of bliss) - had found them in the city of Boston, with Rory working as a full-time staff writer at the Boston Globe, and Jess continuing his burgeoning writing career.

While Jess had fought the move at first - after all, he was a New Yorker at heart - he finally gave in and started to enjoy all the city had to offer. Besides, Poe and Plath were from Boston, and seeing as they were two of his favorites, Jess had to appreciate the pedigree. He put his foot down on becoming a Red Sox fan though. There are some lines a person just could not cross.

Jess intertwined his fingers with Rory's and brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss onto her soft skin.

"Are you guys gonna do that all night? Because I just ate and would really like to keep my dinner in my stomach where it belongs."

Rory and Jess looked up across the table at Tristan, who was feigning nausea at the couple's PDA.

"Oh please. I saw you do worse than that when we were in high school!" Rory laughed at Tristan's exaggeration. The tall blonde winked at Rory before turning his attention to Jess.

Tristan had become a close friend to Rory ever since he'd talked her though that awful night, what seemed like a lifetime ago. They'd spoken regularly and he had even become friendly with Jess. The two men had a surprising amount in common, the most important of which being that they both had a love of literature. The pair spoke at length about pros of Hemmingway and Kerouac and the cons of Austen and Dickinson.

Turing her attention to the boys, she chuckled when she realized Tristan was looking for the inside scoop on Lola. He'd turned his attention to the leggy redhead - who was currently at the bar ordering a round of the table - since they'd all been seated at the same table earlier in the night. He had repeatedly attempted to work his magic, but whatever Tristan was selling, Lola wasn't buying, at least she didn't appear to be. Although, Rory had an inkling that Lola wasn't as opposed to the match as she let on.

She smiled as Jess tried to warn Tristan that he was biting off more than he could chew with the ginger-haired amazon, but Tristan would have none of it. If he was up for anything, it was the challenge of an unattainable woman. Thanking Jess for the input, Tristan excused himself and walked towards the bar, undoubtedly planning to lay on the charm, put on his chivalrous-best and offer to carry the drinks Lola was waiting on.

As he walked towards the bar, he threw one last look over his shoulder at Jess and Rory and mimed a cross sign, letting out a final prayer before heading into the belly of the beast.

Rory watched Tristan walk away, hoping the best for her two friends who had been so instrumental in Jess and Rory finding their way back to one another. Without them, she had no idea where she would be right now. She almost certainly wouldn't be sitting in the lap of the love of her life.

Moving her eyes away from Tristan's retreating form, she let her gaze drift slowly across the courtyard, pausing to take in the sights of various various friends and family. Sookie and Jackson. Lane and Zach. Richard and Emily. Luke and Lorelai.

Everyone was so alive with laughter and love and Rory had never felt more blessed in her life. Even more so, she had never felt so present. She'd spent so much time worrying about what the future would hold. Overthinking every decision she'd ever made. But right now, at this very moment, there was no past full of hurt, no future full of doubt.

No, there was just the here and now, and if the here and now consisted of a moment filled with so much love, so much contentment, so much Jess, then she never wanted to live any other way.

-fin-