VI

Emily was checking her reflection in the front hall mirror when she heard a rustle from the top of the stairs. She spun around and saw Lorelei cautiously descending, Rory just behind her with an armful of train.

"My, you do look lovely," she quickly raised the camera which was now hanging from a very professional-looking photography strap around her neck and started snapping off rapid shots.

"Mom, chill. I'm not Kate Middleton."

"Oh, I know that. I doubt her last meal before marriage was a handful of powdered donuts."

Lorelei had reached the main floor and let out a sigh of relief. Rory matched it, laying the train down gently. Seeing Emily continue to ogle the dress, Lorelei quipped, "Is it too late to change back into sweats? You know, the ones that say 'Juicy' on the butt?"

"Please don't tell me you still have those."

"Of course I do! They're a staple in my wardrobe!"

"They're the perfect complement to any outfit," Rory chimed in.

"Yeah, mom. Do you want to try them on and experience the magic?"

"I'll have to decline. Somehow I don't think they're a great match for formal wear," Emily gestured to her own outfit. Steering clear of the typical "mother-of-the-bride frump look" (as she had described it to Rory the day before over the phone), Emily had gone for a sleek pair of black trousers and a beautiful cobalt blouse.

Lorelei smiled at her mother. "Does it bring you joy, mom?" She indicated Emily's ensemble.

"Yes." Emily grinned.

"You look great, grandma."

Sookie came in from the kitchen. "Ok, tick tock, ladies. I've got the flowers, everybody's dressed—"

"Hey, I thought I was checklist girl today!" Rory interrupted.

"Sorry sweetie," Sookie sighed.

Rory made to continue but felt a buzz in her pocket. "Why don't you keep going for now though, Sookie? Mr. Sulu, you have the conn."

"Aye, Captain." Sookie snapped a salute and continue her verbal checklist.

Rory moved away into the kitchen, fishing her phone out of her pocket. Ah, dresses with pockets. She had just gotten a text from Lane, her city correspondent for the day. It sounded like the town center was really filling up. They had actually closed the roads around the square. Rory grinned. Maybe her mom wasn't the Duchess of Cambridge, but she would always be treated like royalty in this town.

As she went to put her phone away, she felt a second vibration. She clicked. There was a close-up of a black tie with the caption "A little preview."

She typed back. "Luke's handiwork, I presume."

"Ouch," came the immediate reply.

Rory smiled. "Looks good. I'd send you a pic of my own tie to compare, but I'm not wearing one."

"Racy."

She rolled her eyes then noticed he was still typing.

"G2g calm the groom. Don't fill up your dance card before I see ya, Gilmore."

She blushed and remembered her earlier thought of Jess waltzing.

Walking back into the front hall, Rory took in the tornado of last minute action that was Emily and Sookie. From the eye of the storm, a surprisingly calm Lorelei glanced up at her and smirked to see her daughter's pink face.

Rory ducked and put on her shoes, then started shepherding everyone out to the porch, down the stairs, and into the driveway.

"I really can't believe you wouldn't let me hire you a car." Emily looked annoyed.

"She'll get us there, mom." Lorelei fondly patted the door of her Jeep.

Rory quickly arranged everyone. Emily up front with her to prevent any last minute squabbling that would have resulted from cramming her in the back next to Lorelei. Sookie sat beside Lorelei, gazing lovingly at the fluff and flow of her gown and mentally constructing a cake that looked just like it. Lorelei grinned, looking around at her dress spread about her, then caught Rory's eye in the rear-view mirror. "Alright, kid. Let's get this show on the road."

Rory steered with caution, taking a slow scenic route around town. Highlights included the urns full of flowers Michel had painstakingly and symmetrically arranged to frame the doorway of The Dragonfly, a sign announcing the limited-time-only "Loreluke" special at Al's Pancake World, and Kirk chasing his pig, who had been squeezed into a pet dress for the occasion, down the sidewalk. "That's some pig!" Rory called out after him.

She parked close to the hat hedge. The night before, Lorelei had singled out this spot as the perfect one to use to remain hidden from view until her big entrance. Rory handed her purse and phone to her grandmother who kissed her cheek and her mother's. "You girls look beautiful. Don't worry, I'll capture all of it!" She tapped her lens cap and hurried out of the hedge to take her seat.

Sookie distributed their bouquets. A wild colourful assortment, perfect for their little walk through the gardens of Wonderland. She peeked her head around the corner and spotted Jackson sitting with their children. "Oh, I hope he remembered the…!" She took off towards him.

"Um, hurry back, Sookie!" Rory hoped Sookie's last minute checkups weren't stressing out her mom, but when she looked over at her, Lorelei had a mischievous grin on her face.

"You liiiiiiiike him."

"What?"

"Jess!"

"Mom! Keep it down!" Rory moved closer to her.

"I saw you guys yesterday. Man, I can't believe you didn't notice the tension there. It's so obvious!"

"You really want to talk to me about obvious tension when it took you and Luke this long to get together?"

"Ok, fair point. Is he the reason you were blushing earlier though? Come on, at least tell me that."

Rory's face reddened again. "He just sent me a picture, that's all."

"DIRTY!"

"Mom! It was of his tie." Lorelei looked thoughtful. "Stop right there. I can see the wheels turning as you try to come up with an inappropriate comment."

"So I'm not allowed a 50 Shades reference?"

"Consider it referenced. Here comes Sookie!"

Lorelei's best friend came back around the corner, looking calmer. "It's all good. Crisis averted."

"Soooo?" Lorelei beamed.

"I'll just cue the music!" Rory leaned out of the hedge and caught Sophie's eye, who had moved a grand piano out into the square. Sophie began an elegant half-tempo arrangement of Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move". Lorelei started to sway to the music on the spot then grabbed Rory's hand and gave her a quick twirl.

"Showtime?"

"Showtime."

Culture references in this chapter:

Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James

I Feel the Earth Move by Carole King