Weddings and Similar Disasters
Rating:
G
Author's Note: First, let me take this opportunity to say a great big thank you to those people who read and reviewed my first story, "Facing It." I really appreciate your feedback, and have to say it's a nice surprise, considering I never intended to write any fan fiction. So, thank you. :)
The result of a rainy afternoon and too much coffee, this is a story that attempts to wrap up some loose ends; it's Lorelai's and Luke's wedding, practically the entire town is invited, as are Emily and Richard, and Lane and Dave. The best man has been chosen by Luke, but no one knows if he'll really come. When he does, it seems another guest has been invited to the wedding: denial. ;) It's fluffy, and probably out of character, but yet again, once the idea started forming in my mind, I had to get it down on paper. Don't say I didn't warn you of the bad writing ahead if you are indeed going to read this. ;)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Weddings and Similar Disasters
1: Just Your Average Wedding... Right?
"I'm getting married!" Lorelai Gilmore beamed at her daughter Rory.
"Yeah, you really are," Rory replied. There was no doubting it, anyway. Lorelai had tried her dress on every day for the past week, bubbling with happiness.
"Babe, do you want to try your dress on, too?" Lorelai questioned while she arranged her dress, despite the fact that it was already perfectly arranged.
"No thanks, Mom. It still fits just the way it should," Rory chuckled.
Sighing, Lorelai moved to sit down on the bed next to her daughter.
"Are you sure you haven't gained weight in the last," Lorelai checked the alarm clock, "twenty hours?"
She grinned at Rory, who automatically grinned back. It was great to see her mother so obviously happy. She deserved it. And Luke deserved it.
"I don't believe so," Rory smiled. "Mom, the dress is beautiful. Your dress is beautiful. Though it's a bit disappointing that it doesn't have any glitter on it."
"Maybe I should have tried to get some Hello Kitty underwear," Lorelai grinned.
She sprang up again and reached for her robe.
"I need some coffee, but I don't want to get any on my dress... yet," she exclaimed.
"You know, Mom, there is also one great benefit of you getting married," Rory began.
"I think I know what you're thinking – I can get the best coffee any time I like," the both giggled.
The two Gilmores were seated in their kitchen, drinking coffee when Sookie burst in excitedly.
"How's my favorite bride and maid-of-honor?"
"Excited. Nervous. But mostly excited," Lorelai replied. "How's my favorite bride's maid?"
Sookie reached for her own cup and poured coffee for herself. "I'm thrilled! The whole town is. Kirk's gearing up his camera, and who knows, this'll probably be front page news in the newspaper!"
Almost unnoticeably, Rory flinched at this statement. It brought back a memory from years ago, when someone else had said something similar. But that shouldn't be on her mind on her mother's wedding day, she told herself.
"I can't believe we actually got Luke to agree to invite nearly the whole town," Lorelai laughed. "Even Kirk and Taylor."
"Honey, I think you got him to agree to that," Sookie smiled.
"Ah, my world-famous perseverance has struck again," Lorelai grinned.
Rory smiled. "I wasn't there to witness it, but I know it's power.
"Hey, did you get the best man all figured out?" Sookie questioned.
Lorelai glanced over at her daughter. "Uh, well, we're still waiting to see if he'll actually come."
Rory took this opportunity to excuse herself to her room to start getting ready. This didn't mean she was avoiding anything, she told herself. She didn't care if he came or not. She was over him. That's what she had told her mother and herself.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Lorelai lowered her voice.
"She says she's fine with it, but I'm kind of worried. I mean," she sighed, "Luke's the kid's uncle, and I hate to admit it, but he didn't end up being so bad. If he comes, I won't... necessarily throw a party in celebration, but I won't mind. I just hope that she isn't talking herself into being over him."
Sookie nodded. "Well, she's a big kid now, and if she told you that she's over him, then you've got to believe her, right?"
Lorelai poured herself another cup of coffee. "I sure hope so. I'd feel horrible if I'm really happy and she's miserable."
In order to brighten the mood, Sookie decided to change the subject. "Ready to go get dressed?"
Grinning, Lorelai agreed. "You bet."
The town square of Stars Hollow looked beautiful. Nearly every guest had arrived, and the venue was buzzing with excitement. Amid the main party, the guests were finding their seats, and Kirk was busy attempting to figure out the best angles for his photographs.
Luke stood at the front, keeping his eyes firmly on the road.
"I hope that crazy kid doesn't leave us hanging," he muttered under his breath.
Kirk saw Miss Patty seat herself in a chair which he had just pegged as being the best place for him to sit and take pictures from.
"Excuse me, no one said you could sit there. If you sit there, you'll be blocking the best picture angle!" he called out.
Miss Patty decided to humor him. "Calm down, sweetie, I'll move." She ventured a few seats further down.
Luke was temporarily distracted by this, and rolled his eyes. This town was too much.
"Geez," he exclaimed.
Alerted by the sound of a car pulling up, Luke turned toward the road. A New York license plate gave him hope, which he wouldn't admit. Two doors opened, and Lane and Dave emerged. Never mind, Luke thought.
They immediately made their way to the area of the sound system. They had offered to DJ the wedding and it's reception, and since they were an up and coming rock act that had just signed a brand new record deal, it was an honor to have them.
Taylor took this moment to step up to Luke.
"Are you certain that your best man will be arriving? You don't have much time left before the ceremony starts. And I've been meaning to tell you, I would be more than happy to jump in myself as a replacement –"he was cut of by Luke.
"No."
Taylor shook his head. "Still stubborn, I see."
Another car pulled up, but this time, it was clear that this belonged to Emily and Richard Gilmore. They stepped out and carefully made their way to the front row of seats. They had gotten back together again a few years earlier and had fallen into their comfortable routine consisting of travel and social functions.
When they had seated themselves, Emily surveyed the surroundings.
"An outdoor wedding really does have it's own charm," she commented.
Richard nodded in agreement.
Luke, meanwhile, still stood there, watching the road.
At the Gilmore house, Lorelai, Rory and Sookie were standing at the ready, dressed, and set to go. Babette burst in to inform them of what had been going on.
"Angels, you look gorgeous. Everyone's here, except a best man. Lorelai, your parents just arrived and we need to get started," she explained. With that, she was off again.
Lorelai took a deep breath. "This is it."
She and Rory moved to hug each other, disregarding the fact that the dresses and Lorelai's flowers were slightly in the way. After releasing their grip from each other, Lorelai hugged Sookie, who whispered, "Good luck."
Rory reached into her small handbag, which matched her purple dress, and pulled out a small blue ribbon. She extended her hand and gave it to her mother.
"I thought I'd get you a little something blue, that you can tie around your bouquet."
"Aw, thanks, honey!" Lorelai examined the ribbon more closely and burst out laughing. "Oh my God! It's inscribed!"
Rory grinned. "Well, a plain ribbon would be boring. And what better time to use our favorite catchphrase?"
Lorelai read it out. "Oy with the poodles already!" She couldn't quite stop laughing. "Did the person at the shop give you a weird look?"
"Oh yeah," Rory intoned.
The grinned at each other and hugged again.
"Okay, let's tie this," Lorelai said, neatly putting the ribbon around the flowers and tying it tightly.
"Are we ready?" Sookie questioned.
Lorelai nodded. "Definitely."
Neatly every chair set up in the town's center for the wedding was filled. The ceremony was about ton start, and in a rare moment, everyone seemed subdued and quiet. Lane and Dave had checked that the sound system was fine, and had then taken a seat in the second row. Suddenly, everyone's attention was drawn to the sound of an approaching car. It pulled up, and stopped.
Lane leaned over and whispered to Dave. "Weddings around here can never be boring."
He chuckled. "I think you're right."
With all the guests staring at him, he couldn't help thinking that this might not have been such a good idea after all. He'd contemplated coming here. He was so late because he hadn't decided until the last minute that he would come. He wouldn't want to admit it out loud, but a major reason for his decision had been his uncle. He'd asked him to be best man, and he had to admit, that was a nice thing to ask for. He felt like he had family. As he exited the car, he saw her out of the corner of his eye. She hadn't been the reason for his decision. At least, he didn't think she was. He knew he couldn't avoid seeing her here, but she had made it pretty clear that he wasn't wanted the last time they had met, so he wasn't about to think she had changed her mind.
He could hear murmurs from the audience, snatches of, "It's Jess," or "He's the best man?", but he shrugged it off. He'd been invited, after all, and this weird town wouldn't have to out up with him for long. And vice versa.
Reaching Luke and Lorelai, he nodded at them.
Luke was pleased to see him, but wouldn't want to tell anyone that.
"I had to pick this tie without you," he said instead.
Jess smirked. "Huh, well, you did a good job."
The minister chose this moment to interrupt the gruff welcome.
"May we begin?"
Jess stepped aside a bit more. Luke and Lorelai answered in unison. "Sure."
He was back. Rory inadvertently glanced over at him, and then chided herself for it. This was a wedding. And not just any wedding, but her mother's wedding. She had to focus back on that. Look at the minister, she thought. There, that had worked. Jess stole a look at her, too, but then focused on the wedding. It wasn't every day that he could witness a wedding in this freak of a town. Plus, it was his uncle, getting married to a Gilmore girl.