Rory sat at the kitchen, where her friend, Lucy, was doing her hair and make-up.

"Thanks again, Lucy, for helping me," Rory said, holding a mirror up to check the progress.

"Anytime," Lucy replied happily. "It's just a shame Olivia couldn't be here."

"I know, but that internship is such a great opportunity for her. So, Doyle and Paris, Lane and Zack, Mom and Luke, and now Logan and I. When are you and Marty going to get hitched now that you're back together?" Rory teased. Lucy rolled her eyes and laughed.

"We're together now," Lucy started, "but who knows how long before we get sick of each other again."

"Still, I'm glad you two are giving it another try. If I forget, remind me later to thank him for helping me find a good bartender. If he hadn't, either he or Kirk would have to do it," Rory said.

"'Kay. Now, hold still. I need to pin up the rest of your hair." Paris came downstairs dressed in her pale blue bridesmaid gown. Her hair was already done, and, as usual, she was impatient about having to get ready so early.

"I hope you realize that I didn't make you get ready for my wedding four hours early. I didn't hold you hostage all that time. You were allowed to go out and do things," Paris accused, flinging herself into a chair and glaring at Rory.

"Thank you, Paris. What were you going to do instead? Most of Stars Hollow has closed down in preparation of the wedding. You didn't need to get dressed quite yet. You did that of your own accord," Rory answered back.

"Yeah, well, I needed to be doing something," Paris muttered.

"Hey, Paris? Is Lane here yet?" Rory asked.

"No, she called though. She's bringing Lily and she is on her way," Paris answered, grabbing her phone. The front door suddenly slammed open and then closed. Rory immediately stiffened, causing Lucy to smudge her eye make-up.

"Rory! Be careful! I am enhancing a masterpiece here," Lucy scolded, however, another voice screeched louder.

"Rory!" Lorelai shrieked. "Rory, where are you?"

"Uh oh," Rory mumbled. Lorelai ran into the kitchen.

"Woah, Lorelai, you look awful. You better start getting ready now if you are ever going to look okay for the wedding," Paris said bluntly.

"Not now, Paris," Lorelai gritted. "Rory! What were you thinking? Why? How could you have invited him? After all of the history between us. This is supposed to be a special day! Now, he's here, and Luke, and-" Lorelai couldn't catch her breath. "I am not Meryl, and you are not Amanda, and there was no reason to Mamma Mia me!" Lorelai fell into a chair and glared at Rory, whose eyes were threatening to tear up.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I invited him because I wanted him to be here. I should have told you before, but I didn't want to hurt you," Rory said sadly.

"I'm listening now," Lorelai said quietly. "Tell me what's going on, Rory. You are not being fair." Rory took a deep breath and started explaining everything to Lorelai. The goodbye at Chilton, the random meetings the last few years, the email correspondence. When she finished, Lorelai's face had relaxed somewhat.

"Damn Fate," Lorelai muttered. Is that all, Rory?" Rory nodded, afraid to look her mother in the eye. Lorelai sighed, got up and went around the kitchen table to hug her daughter.

"You're not mad?" Rory asked, shocked.

"Oh, I am furious. But, I see why you did it. Besides, it's your big day and I don't want this to ruin it. However, I think I need to get ready. Though, I may need to borrow you and the girls to help grease me up if I can't get into my dress."

"Mom, your dress will fit. We fixed it and you tried it on yesterday," Rory said, exasperated. As Lorelai continued to make her way up the stairs, she heard Rory call out.

"Mom! Is Dad bringing Gigi over to get ready? I can't wait to see her in her flower girl dress!" Lorelai paused on the steps. She had been dreading this.

"No, Sweets," Lorelai started. "He's getting Gigi ready at home and he swears that he will get her here on time." She didn't need to see her to know that Rory's face had fallen.

"He's still mad at me, isn't he?" Rory asked.

I am going to kill him, Lorelai thought. Rory didn't need her mother to answer her question, she already knew the answer. She knew that he was still upset with her, but, she still felt that he was acting like a child. Rory hoped though that he would stay for the wedding and not just drop Gigi off and leave like she had heard him threaten to Lorelai.

"Hello! Rory!" Rory heard a voice call and the door close.

"Lane! We're in here!" Rory shouted back. Lane entered the kitchen with a dress bag over one arm, and a diaper bag and car seat in the other. She carefully set the baby down and placed her dress over Rory's bedroom door.

"Sorry I'm late! The boys were giving Zach and Brian a hard time and I couldn't get Lily settled down," Lane apologized.

"It's fine, Lane. Paris and Lucy are the only ones ready so far. I think by the time you get your dress on, Lucy should be able to work her magic on your beautiful face," Rory said.

"So many things wrong with that sentence. First, I will never fit into my dress, and second, I look like death."

"You sound like my mom," Rory said, laughing. "Now go get your dress on. It will be fine." Lane nodded and disappeared into Rory's room.

"Alright, you are done! I have outdone myself this time," Lucy announced, handing Rory the mirror. Rory glanced into it and could not believe her eyes. Lucy had done a fantastic job. Her hair was pulled into a vintage twist with rhinestones. Her make-up was both dramatic, and very Rory, at the same time.

"You like?" Lucy asked, knowing the answer. Rory put down the mirror and threw her arms around her friend. Both Lane and Lorelai entered the kitchen. Lorelai's dress matched Lucy's and Paris'. Rory had been unsure of who should be her maid of honor as she loved both Lorelai and Lane, and had been the maid of honor in both of their weddings. Luckily, Lorelai had insisted upon Lane being the maid of honor.

Rory had known from the first moment of planning what she wanted her bridesmaids dresses to look like. She hadn't told or shown Logan, but she knew that he would love them also. She had found almost exact replicas of the dress that Logan had picked out for her when he took her to her first Life and Death Brigade event. Her bridesmaids had the pale blue dress with the small navy blue flowers embroidered on top. Lane's dress was the opposite: navy blue dress with light blue flowers. All of the dresses had a light silver scarf that draped across the back, unlike the blue one that had been on her original dress. They were simple, and perfect, and looked great on everyone.

Lorelai's eyes filled with tears when she saw Rory.

"Oh, Rory. You look beautiful," she said as she embraced her daughter.

"You look great too, mom."

"Well, not quite, but, Lucy?" Lorelai asked.

"Come into my office," Lucy replied, pulling out a chair for Lorelai. Lucy grabbed her supplies and got to work. Lane came out looking stunning in her navy dress. The girls just sat talking in the kitchen while Lorelai and Lane got their hair and make-up done. Even Paris loosened up and was joining in the giggling that was ensuing. Soon enough, everyone had their hair and make-up done, and everyone but Rory was dressed. There was a knock on the door, and Marty came in, holding a small box.

"Hey, Rory," Marty said, giving her a grin. It only took a few years, but he was finally over Rory.

"Hi, Marty!" Rory exclaimed, hugging her friend. "Is everyone dressed? How is he?"

"Everyone is dressed, save for you, apparently. Logan's doing fine. Nervous, but excited. He asked me to give you this," Marty explained, handing her the box. She raised her eyebrow and opened it. Inside was a hair comb set with beautiful crystals and a small sapphire in the middle.

"It's beautiful," Rory said softly. "Thanks, Marty. Please tell him that I love it." Lorelai gestured to see it, took the comb, and then disappeared. She returned a few moments later and attached to the comb was her veil.

"You knew about all of this?" Rory asked.

"Yes," Lorelai admitted. "He asked me what he should get you. That's why I insisted on this veil."

"It's wonderful," Rory breathed.

"I hate to break up this lovely moment you two are having, "Paris interrupted, "but, it's 1:00, and our bride is not dressed yet." Lorelai and Rory's eyes got big and everyone started to head to the master bedroom. Rory stopped.

"Guys? If you don't mind, I would kind of like Mom to help me get dressed," Rory said. The others smiled and nodded and went back to the kitchen. Rory grabbed Lorelai's hand.

"Come on, Mom."

The pair went upstairs to Lorelai and Luke's room. The two were very quiet as Rory changed into her wedding undergarments. When she came out of the bathroom, Lorelai had taken Rory's dress off the hanger and was holding it ready for Rory to step into. Rory took a deep breath and put her legs in her gown. It went up perfectly and her breath hitched when she saw her reflection. The top of her dress was strapless and the neckline mimicked her bridesmaids dresses, save for the slightest indentation, suggesting the smallest sweetheart line. The top had the same small flowers, with tiny pearls set in the middle. The back was a laced-up corset style. The skirt of the dress was white with light chiffon arranged in the subtlest of ruffled layers. It was the perfect blend of princess-y, contemporary, chic, and vintage. The dress looked like it was made specifically for Rory.

"Wow. It's incredible, isn't it, kid?" Lorelai asked, looking stunned at her daughter's appearance.

"This is amazing," Rory agreed. Something had been bothering her though, and had been for years. She hadn't wanted to ask, to bring it up. But, she just had to know.

"Mom? Can I ask you a question?" Rory asked.

"Yes."

"You promise you won't get mad?"

"It's your day. I promise I won't get mad," Lorelai agreed.

"Okay. What happened between you and Max when he came back? I mean, I know you kissed at the Bicentennial at Chilton, but, you were so excited to see him at the next Booster Meeting. I mean, you weren't sure what it had meant, but, you seemed almost ready to give it another try. Next thing I knew, he was leaving. And now, you took this 'me inviting him' thing so badly, that, I just want to know what happened," Rory spit out.

"Oh, Rory," Lorelai began. "It's hard to explain. What you have to understand is that I loved Max. Not in the same way as Luke, not in the same way as your father. I loved the idea of him. I loved the short term of him. I may have loved the long-term of him the second time he came around. When I saw him at the drug store, and then, when we kissed, I thought that maybe I was finally ready. I wanted to try things with him again. I felt like I had grown up. He had always made me feel safe, secure, and loved. When we were engaged, I lost the sense of lust and adventure with him and that scared me. Then, he came back, and I had moved on from wanting that sense of danger. So, that night at the Booster Meeting, I sought him out because he wasn't there. We talked in his office and he made it a point to keep his distance, preferably with furniture between us. He wanted to know what we were. I told him that we were us. I didn't come out and tell him that I loved him or that I wanted to get back together with him. He just looked so defeated. Then, he told me that he wanted us to be apart. That we needed to stay apart and potentially never see each other again. We said our goodbyes, and I hadn't heard from him since, until today," Lorelai finished quietly.

"Did you want him to stay? Did you want him to ask you again?" Rory said, looking at her mother.

"Yes," Lorelai whispered, her eyes filled with tears. "But, if I had. Who knows? Maybe we would have stayed together, maybe we wouldn't have. I mean, I have loved Luke for years, I just didn't know it. With Luke, I have the whole package. The safety, the security, the passion, the adventure. All in one package. I am happier than I could have ever imagined, even with Max. It's just hard, you know. Not a day goes by when I don't think of him and wonder how he's doing." There was a knock on the door and it opened.

"Mind if I come in?" Luke asked peeking into the room.

"Come on in," Rory said, brightly. Luke walked in and his breath caught when he saw Rory.

"Rory, you look absolutely beautiful," he said, taking in her appearance. He tried, but he couldn't stop his eyes from tearing up slightly. He couldn't believe that standing in front of him was little Rory Gilmore. A myriad of flashbacks came to mind: a three year old Rory handing him an invitation to her caterpillar's funeral, five year old Rory needing help making a bird house for school, eight year old Rory trying to ride a bike without training wheels, 13 year old Rory feeling glum about not having anyone to give her Father's Day card to, making 16-year old Rory a birthday coffee cake, 17-year old Rory with a broken wrist, 18-year old Rory graduating high school and moving into college, telling 20-year old Rory that he and Lorelai were engaged, giving 21-year old Rory his mother's necklace, throwing her a "going away" party at 22, and the memories kept coming. Now, at 25, the little girl who had stolen his heart and now looked so grown up was not going to be his Rory Gilmore anymore.

"Uh, Luke? Are you okay?" Rory asked concerned, laying her hand on his arm. She looked at him with her big blue eyes. For a second she looked like a little girl again. Luke cleared his throat and composed himself while Lorelai met his eyes and nodded; she understood.

"Sorry, it's just, you are all grown up. I look at you and I still expect to see the young girl with the super heavy backpack," Luke said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. Rory squeezed his arm and nodded. She didn't have words to respond to that. She knew she loved Luke, but, she had never heard him ever reciprocate.

"I, um, have something for you," Luke said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box.

"Luke, you didn't have to get me anything," Rory explained. "What you're doing today is more than enough."

"Nah, I want you to have it. Here," Luke handed her the box. Rory opened it and her eyes grew wide. Inside was a vintage-looking diamond and sapphire pendant.

"Luke, it's, it's…wonderful. But, are you sure you want to give this to me? It looks like an heirloom. Mom or April should have it," Rory said, not wanting to get too attached to it. Luke took the box from her and placed the necklace around her neck.

"It was my mother's, and my grandmother's before that," Luke started. Rory's eyes filled up. "Just because I have April now, it doesn't change what you and I have. April is my daughter by blood, and I love her. You? You're my daughter by heart. I am so, so proud of you. I want you to have this. It isn't much but hopefully you like it, and think of me sometimes when you wear it." Rory threw her arms around the man she viewed as a father. Memories played in her mind: Luke making a casket for her caterpillar, him teaching her to ride a bike, giving her pie when her dad failed to show up for Father's Day, celebrating her 16th birthday, helping her move into Yale, celebrating her 21st birthday, organizing her bon voyage party. He had been there, for all of it. Even when he and her mother weren't together, he was always there.

"Alright, sweets, it's just about time," Lorelai started. Luke and Rory had forgotten that Lorelai was even still there. Luke patted Rory on the shoulder.

"I'll, give you two a moment. I'll be waiting downstairs when you're ready," Luke said, walking out of the room.

"Well, Rory, you're only missing one thing," Lorelai said softly, picking up the veil. Rory turned around and bent her head over slightly and Lorelai fastened the comb into her hair. Rory lifted her head up and looked at the mirror one more time. It finally hit her. She was getting married. The whole package was ready: the dress, the hair, the makeup, the veil. Surprisingly, she was not nervous. She loved Logan, with her whole heart. She was sad, however, that she was going to be permanently leaving home. Her room was now entirely packed up, all of her belongings now in New York City in the apartment she and Logan share, save for the few bags she was living out of the last few days.

"Rory? What's wrong?" Lorelai asked, putting her arms around her daughter.

"It's just, I don't know. I, I'm going to miss you," Rory said, tears threatening to fall.

"Oh, Hun, don't cry, you'll mess up your makeup. It's too late for Lucy to fix it. You're going to be fine. You love Logan, right? You're just going to be in New York, that's not that far away. It's no different than when you were following Mr. President around. Actually, this is better. Now, give Mommy one last hug, and then we need to get going," Lorelai said, turning Rory to face her. They hugged one more time, then Lorelai took her arm, and led her out the door.

When they got downstairs, Christopher and Gigi were waiting for her. Gigi looked beautiful in her light blue flower girl dress, a wreath in her blonde curls. Christopher wore a shirt and tie and stood awkwardly in the living room.

"Hey, kiddo," Christopher said, half-heartedly. "You look nice."

"Hi, Dad! Thanks for coming and bringing Gigi," Rory said cautiously, putting her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek. Chris pulled away soon after, stiffening and placing a pout on his face.

"I, uh, better be going," Chris said, and without another word, he left. Rory's face fell slightly, but she was more angry than upset. He had been mad at her for too long, and been out of her life for too long to have expected any different.

"Don't worry about him," Lorelai said. "You look beautiful and you're ready. And, look, the cars are here. Girls?" Paris, Lane, and Lucy all came into the living room. Logan had gone along with the olden-times theme and had decided that the only part of the wedding he wanted any say in was in the transportation. He had hired two Rolls Royces, one for the bridal party, and one for the bride and the groom, or the bride and the bride's father on the way there. The ladies all piled into the one car, ready to scrunch the men in there for the short ride to the town square. Lorelai kissed her daughter one more time, and the girls all waved goodbye before driving off. The second car pulled up.

"After you, Rory," Luke said, opening the door and helping her get inside. Once in the car, Rory felt the slightest tinge of fear. Before she could even panic, she felt a gruff hand take hold of her own. Luke looked at her, and she felt all her fears disappear. The car stopped at the town square and the pair got out. Trellises had been set up to block the bride from the view of the guests. Lorelai fixed the skirt of Rory's dress, and the ladies all got together with their escorts. Lorelai was going to be walking alone. The music started and the procession began.