Real Life Fairytale
Summary: After an elopement and a custody battle, Luke and Lorelai are ready to start their happily ever after. But is life ever that easy? Sequel to "What Happens in Vegas" and "April Showers".
Author's Note: As stated, this is the sequel to "What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Always Stay in Vegas" and "April Showers Don't Always Bring May Flowers". You don't necessarily need to read those stories to understand this one. Just know that Lorelai NEVER, EVER slept with Chris at the end of Season 6 and that Luke and Lorelai did run off and get married. Luke also has joint custody of April as of this story.
Chapter One – You Caught My Eye and I was Home
"Would you be upset with me if I got a new dress for the vow renewal?"
Since at the time the question was posed, Luke was in the middle of the diner's monthly inventory, it took him a moment to realize he was being addressed. "What?"
Lorelai sighed and repeated, "I asked if you would be upset if I got a new dress for the renewal. I really don't want to wear the dress I did in Vegas because that ceremony was just for us."
Looking over at Lorelai, Luke said, "I already said whatever you wanted to do was okay with me."
"But don't you want to help me plan this?" Lorelai asked as she sat on the edge of the desk Luke was working at.
"Lorelai, I'm not the party planning type," Luke pointed out.
"But you planned our wedding and it was beautiful."
"Then that should cover me for at least a couple of years," Luke said as he went back to his inventory list.
Lorelai was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "You really have no opinion on this at all?"
Hearing the questioning, almost hurt tone in Lorelai's voice, Luke put his pen down and turned toward his wife. "Lorelai, I love you. I have never been happier than I am now, but I really don't need a party to express that. I am doing this solely because the town would make my life even more of a living nightmare than they do now if we didn't at least give them a reception. If it were up to me, we would be spending the time we are wasting planning this on things that would really celebrate us as a couple."
A grin crossed Lorelai's face. "Why, Lucas Danes, are you trying to proposition me?"
"I don't think it's considered propositioning if you're married," Luke shot back.
Lorelai moved to sit on Luke's lap. Running her hand down his face, she said softly, "Have I told you today how much I love you?"
Wrapping his arms around Lorelai, Luke answered, "No, you haven't."
"Well, I do. So very much," Lorelai said. She started to lean into Luke and just as she was about to kiss him, she whispered, "Now, roses or lilies?"
"Lorelai," Luke groaned.
Lorelai laughed softly. "The sooner we have this thing planned, the more time we will have to play."
Sighing Luke said, "Fine. What would you like me to do?"
"Yea! I knew you would help and I didn't even have to resort to the hair flip." Lorelai reached into her pocket and pulled out several pieces of paper. "Okay, Sookie is covering the food. Michele is handling the Inn."
Luke raised his eyebrows. "Michele?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Lorelai replied, "Well, he wanted to help. Jackson has cleared everything with Taylor for us to hold the reception in the town square, since I knew you wouldn't want to deal with him."
"Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Figured you would like that one. Lane and Zach have offered their services on the music front. Rory is handling the guest list and making sure everyone we invited is coming. She and Sookie are also helping with the flowers and dresses. Gee, I guess that only leaves you with making sure Jess and April are going to be there," Lorelai said, looking at her list.
Luke noticed that Lorelai was trying to hide a smirk. "That was what you had for me all along, wasn't it?"
"Darn, you figured me out."
"Is there a ceremony to undo our vows instead of renew them?"
Lorelai swatted Luke's arm. "Admit it, it was sort of funny. And just think about how dull your life would be without me around."
Luke wrapped one of Lorelai's curls around his finger. "I never want to have to think about my life without you in it ever again."
"Softie," Lorelai said softly, but lovingly.
"Only for you."
"I do love you," Lorelai responded.
"A fact I am thankful for every day," Luke replied as he pulled Lorelai to him.
Lorelai sat snuggled up to Luke for a moment, and then sat back a little. "Luke, do you think April would like to help out with some of this? She could help Sookie, Rory, and I with the dresses, flowers, and the decorating."
"I can ask her, but I think she would love to." Luke paused. "Thank you for thinking of her."
"Luke, she is part of our family. I've been meaning to ask you about it, but this is the first quiet moment we have had with each other since we started actually planning this thing," Lorelai said. "I want April to feel welcome here. I want to be a good stepmom. I don't want to replace Anna, but I want April to see me at least as a friend."
Luke took Lorelai's hand in his. "Do you know what I was thinking right before we went into the hearing the other day?" At Lorelai's shake of her head, he continued, "I was thinking that if I - if we - managed to get joint custody, that April would have a wonderful role model every time she came here. I look at Rory and know a huge part of who she is and what she has accomplished is because of your influence. How could I not want April to have the benefit of that same influence?"
Lorelai looked down, and then up at Luke with tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly, "but a large part of who Rory is comes from you, as well. You may not be her biological father, but I see so much of you in her. I don't think I have ever thanked you for being there for her. I appreciate it more than you will ever know."
Instead of replying, Luke pulled Lorelai to him in a kiss. They stayed like that for a few minutes, just enjoying the presence of the other. When they both needed to stop for air, Luke replied in a husky voice, "The horoscope you gave me on the day we met really did bring me luck. It brought me you and Rory."
Leaning in, Lorelai kissed Luke again, and then said, "And I'm glad I didn't go away like I told you I would if you gave me coffee."
"Ah, but you see, I knew if I gave you coffee, I could get you to stay," Luke teased.
Pretending to be indignant, Lorelai gasped, "You really do put something in your coffee to make it addictive."
"Darn, you found out my secret."
Lorelai laughed. "I'll never tell." She kissed Luke again, and then whispered in his ear. "Go cross your items off your list, and then meet me upstairs. I believe you might need to strip search me and check for listening devices to ensure your coffee secret is safe."
Luke feigned a sighed. "The things I do in the name of coffee security."
"Well, you did once claim I was your Bond girl and ol' James was known to do whatever it took to complete his mission," Lorelai said as she got off of Luke's lap and headed toward the stairs.
As Luke picked up the phone, he said softly, "Just call me Danes, Luke Danes. License to brew."
Author's Note, continued: The name of this story come from the Plumb song by the same name. The lyrics of the song match exactly to Luke and Lorelai. What's funny is that I had written the wedding vows in "What Happens in Vegas" before I found the song, but when I heard it, I knew it would have to be included in this series somehow since they match closely to what I had Lorelai say to Luke. The title of each chapter of this story will be lyrics from the song.
As usual, this was not how I intended this chapter to go. Oh well, I find it's best to follow the muse wherever she leads you.
This will be the third and, most likely final, story in this series. I am finding it harder to write for the Gilmore Girls without the inspiration of new shows, but a lot of reviewers wanted me to continue this series, so this story is for those who requested it. PLEASE, PLEASE review and let me know what you think! I live for the reviews. (Okay, a bit overdramatic, but I do love to read what people think of my stories.)
