It's ba-ack! Here is chapter 25, which apparently deleted itself from fan fiction! I finally figured out how to get it off my flash drive so you new readers can read the ENTIRE story. This was my favorite chapter to write and so brings the happy ending. So enjoy! And please review. Again, I'm sorry this chapter was deleted on here. I only discovered it was missing a while ago. Thanks for reading my stories and loving them. It means a lot to me.
Chapter 25: The Whole Package
Lorelai awoke early. She rolled over in bed to find it empty and sighed. Damn Luke and his old fashioned ways. I need him here and he decides to spend the night before our wedding back in his apartment! She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. At least Luke was open enough to allow April to spend the night at her house. April was downstairs with Rory. She was now a part of their blended family, a concept not lost on Lorelai. It proved, once and for all that she was now a part of Luke's life with his daughter, no secrets between them.
Lorelai threw back the covers and sat up, stretching and running her fingers through her hair. She got up and padded to her dresser to find something suitable to wear. She had set aside a room at the Inn to change in for the girls. She glanced over at her wedding gown hanging on the closet door and smiled. Having found the brand new lacy undergarments she intended to wear and a comfortable pair of sweat pants with matching zippered hoodie, she headed for the bathroom to take a relaxing bubble bath.
As the bath filled, Lorelai brushed her teeth and washed and moisturized her face. When the bath was filled with lavender scented bubbles, she undressed, pulled her hair up in a clip and stepped in, sinking down slowly into the luxurious warmth. She laid back, closed her eyes and sighed.
"Mommy, how come Daddy doesn't live with us," five- year old Rory questioned her mother.
"Because he doesn't," Lorelai answered.
"But why?"
"Because we're not married."
"Why are you not married?"
"Because we weren't ready."
"Well, I want you to get married so Daddy can be here all the time," Rory said as she twirled around her mother.
"It's not that easy sweetie," Lorelai said, wrangling her little girl and giving her a hug.
" I don't see Daddy like other kids," Rory said looking serious. "Is it cause I'm a bad girl?"
"Rory, honey, no! Sweetie, you're not a bad girl," Lorelai said, absolutely stunned that her daughter would even think such a thing. "You are the greatest kid ever!"
"Then how come Daddy doesn't live with us," Rory said as she wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.
Lorelai sighed. "Honey, Daddy and I didn't feel ready for marriage. He loves you sweets, but he's not ready to be a daddy to you."
"If he loves me, he would see me more and take me to do stuff like the other kids daddies," Rory said softly. "I don't think Daddy loves us. If he did, you would be married and we would be a family."
"We are a family sweets," Lorelai said kissing her daughter on the top of her head. "No matter what, you'll always have me."
"But you're not happy Mommy," Rory said as she climbed up on her bed and sat down.
"Why would you say that," Lorelai grilled her precocious daughter. "I'm very happy. I have you and my job and this great place to live…" She knew she was stretching it but Rory was so smart. She didn't want her to worry about her.
"Then why do you cry sometimes at night," Rory said, looking sad. "It makes me sad to hear you. Is it cause you're not married and Daddy's not here?"
Lorelai didn't realize that Rory was so observant. How could she tell her little girl that she sometimes got lonely, that she missed her parents even though she didn't get along with them, that she worked so hard to make a life for her little girl, that she didn't get to spend as much time with her as she wanted? How could she tell her that sometimes Mommies cry just because? She scooped Rory up and sat her on her lap.
"Rory, sweetie, you are my life," she said, holding her close. "I am so happy and I want you to be happy too. Yes, I'm not married to your daddy, but that was our choice. I don't know why he doesn't see you more. I guess he's busy. Sometimes I cry about things and it's okay to cry. It just means that I'm sad at the time. We all get sad."
"I got sad when Tommy took my book in the school yard and threw it in the mud," Rory said nodding. "I cried so hard cause it was my favorite book." She thought for a moment. "Mommy, will you ever get married so I can have a real daddy like the other kids?"
"I sure hope so," Lorelai said smiling. "Someday I'd like to get married, if not to your daddy then to someone who will love us both with all his heart. Cause you and me kid… we're a package deal!" She tickled Rory's belly, causing the child to break out into a fit of laughter.
"Mom!" The voice broke her out of her reverie. "You up?" It was Rory, calling from the bottom of the stairs. She sat up in the now cool water.
"I'm taking a bath," she called out loudly.
"Hey Lorelai," April's voice called from outside the bathroom door. "Rory made a pot of coffee for you and Dad dropped off some breakfast."
"Is he still here," Lorelai called out excitedly.
"Nah, he went back to the diner saying something about it being bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," April chuckled. "Like that old superstition is true," she said rolling her eyes.
"Oh. Okay," Lorelai said, her disappointment evident in her voice. "I'll be down in a bit. I've just got to throw on some clothes."
Lorelai pulled the plug and stood up, grabbing her towel from the bar and wrapping it around her. She stepped out of the tub and dried off. She yanked the clip from her hair, giving her head a shake, as her now freed hair fell over her shoulders. She dressed in the new lacy white panties and bra and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Though so much older than the young woman who consoled her little girl about getting married one day, she knew she had waited for the right man. She had tried a marriage to Christopher, thinking that this would complete them as a family, but it was wrong: they were two very different people now with different goal and dreams. No, Luke was the one she wanted a life with and it felt right. It felt so right. She finished dressing and went downstairs.
The morning flew by as the girls went to get pampered, coifed, and manicured in preparation of the big event. Luke, on the other hand, kept mostly to himself as he tried to keep his nerves steady. He showered and took extra care in shaving so as not to nick himself. There was no way in hell he was showing up at his own wedding with toilet paper stuck to his face. He dressed in his tux and fumbled with the tie. Stupid tie! Stupid fruity tux! I look like a freakin' penguin! After wrestling the tie into submission, he straightened himself and checked his reflection in the mirror. He smiled, remembering a moment so long ago.
"Stupid tie! Stupid fruity tux!" William Danes mumbled to himself, as he got dressed. His ten-year old son was watching him from his perch atop the toilet tank.
"Get down before you break your neck," William snapped. "Or my toilet," he added.
"You look like a penguin Dad," Luke said trying not to laugh.
"Yeah well I wouldn't be wearing this monkey suit if your mother didn't trap me into attending this wedding," William grumbled. "It's not like I'm in the bridal party or anything. I don't see why I need to wear a tux. I look like an idiot."
"You look like the handsome man I married and would marry all over again," Annie Danes said, as she entered the room and put her arms around her husband from behind.
"You're lucky I like you so much," William said smiling, "Or I'd have to trade you in for a less pushy model."
"You're lucky that you look so handsome in a tux," Annie said. "I'll have to thank you for wearing the monkey suit later," She cooed with a wink.
"Promise," William asked as he turned to face his wife. He drew her close and kissed her tenderly on the lips.
"Aw man," Luke exclaimed, jumping down off the toilet and covering his eyes. "Yuck! If this is what it's like to be married then I'm never getting married."
"You say that now," William said to his son, "but someday you will find the one woman who makes everything worth while, the one person you can't live without, and trust me, you will want to marry her and love her forever."
Luke watched his parents as they gazed into each other's eyes, smiling. He knew they loved each other and he loved them.
Luke sighed as he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He blinked back the tears he so long ago buried. His parents would not be here to witness this momentous occasion. When his mother died, he'd watched his father grieve. He'd never seen the man cry before, but seeing the depth of his father's loss broke his heart. His dad was never the same after losing his wife. It was as if a part of him died with her. Then William became sick and eventually joined his wife, leaving Luke alone. Luke decided then that marriage was not for him, not if it led to pain and loss. He shut himself down, refusing to let anyone in, until Lorelai that is.
Lorelai broke through his gruff exterior and touched a part of him that he had long ago buried. She opened his heart and he fell for her in a way he never thought he would. His father's words rang in his head now. Someday you will find the one woman who makes everything worth while, the one person you can't live without, and trust me, you will want to marry her and love her forever. That person was Lorelai, his one person. Today was that day, the day he would make her his wife. He would have what his parents had, what Lorelai herself wanted more than anything, the whole package. He would have a family of his own and he couldn't wait to make that happen.
Lorelai paced around the room in her wedding gown, waiting for her mother to arrive. As she walked the floor in her slippers, she tried to concentrate on breathing since her nervous anticipation was making that normal body function very difficult. She was at the Dragonfly, completing the dressing ritual, while waiting for Emily to retrieve the tiara. She had thought about wearing her hair up, but decided that Luke loved her hair down and the cold day solidified that decision. Hair down meant less draft on her neck.
A knock on the door startled her. "Come in," she called out.
"Hey sweetie," Sookie chirped as she entered with a cup of coffee and a plate of sandwiches. "I figured you hadn't had anything to eat all day so …. Wow! You look gorgeous," she exclaimed as she caught sight of Lorelai.
"I feel like a herd of elephants are running around in my stomach," Lorelai groaned. "These sandwiches look so great, but I don't think I could eat a bite right now."
"You're not thinking of backing out are you," Sookie gasped. "Cause everything is set to go and I don't want to throw out another beautiful cake that I spent days making."
"Sookie! Breathe! I'm not backing out," Lorelai said trying to console her best friend, who was working herself up into a full-blown panic attack.
"Oh, thank God," Sookie giggled. "Cause I'd have a hard time explaining to Jackson why I took a nose dive into your wedding cake while babbling 'not again' over and over."
Lorelai gasped. "Is that what you did when I called off my wedding to Max?"
"Oh god no," Sookie said laughing. "I actually cut Clyde up and served it to the staff."
"Clyde?" Lorelai inquired laughing. "I thought I was the only one who named inanimate objects! Wait a minute! You told me you hadn't even started on the cake!"
"Well… you should know me better than that Lorelai." Sookie giggled. "Either way, you better not make me cut up Elmo before his time."
"Elmo?" Lorelai burst out laughing.
"What? It's got red trimmed icing," Sookie said laughing. "Besides, Davey named it."
"Right," Lorelai giggled skeptically. "I think someone's been watching too much Sesame Street."
"So… you okay now," Sookie asked as she rubbed Lorelai's arm.
"I am now," Lorelai replied. "Thanks Sook for calming my frazzled nerves. I guess I'm just excited and nervous about getting married again."
"I know what you mean," Sookie nodded. "On my wedding day, I couldn't stop throwing up."
"I know hon, I was there remember," Lorelai said smiling. "I can do this. It's Luke, the man I've been waiting for, the right man for me. I just need to relax. Maybe I will have one of those sandwiches," Lorelai said reaching for the plate.
"Well, if it's any consolation, it's snowing," Sookie said, as she glanced out the window.
"Oh my god! He did it!" Lorelai squealed as she ran to look out the window. "Luke said he was going to ask God to make it snow on our wedding day just for me."
"Well a man with those kind of connections," Sookie giggled, "you'd be a fool not to marry!"
"It's magical when it snows," Lorelai said with a faraway, dreamy look on her face. "Some of my favorite moments happened when it snowed, and this day is going straight to the top of the list. Everything is going to be fine. I know it. The snow says so and snow has always been good to me, well except for that one bad day, but Luke helped reconcile me and snow and we've been great ever since."
"I'll see you downstairs hon," Sookie said giving Lorelai a huge hug. "I'm going to make sure everything is set." Sookie's eyes filled with tears. "You're getting married today."
"I am aren't I? Just don't you start crying Sook or you're gonna get me going and I don't want to ruin my makeup before I even get to say 'I do'," Lorelai said, dabbing at the corners of her eyes.
"Okay, not crying," Sookie choked out through her tears. "At least not until the actual ceremony," she added with a giggle.
"I can deal with that," Lorelai said giving her friend another hug. "Now go check on Elmo," she said with a huge grin.
Lorelai stood at the window looking out at the falling snow, as it gently covered the Dragonfly property in a blanket of white. It wasn't a blizzard, just a serenely graceful dance of downy flakes; the kind of snowfall one would see in a Christmas painting by Thomas Kinkade. She sipped the now cold coffee that Sookie had brought her, letting the comforting aroma and taste soothe the remnants of her pre wedding jitters. A knock on the door interrupted her blissful daydream.
Emily entered, carrying the box with the tiara in it. Lorelai sat as Emily placed the tiara on her head and secured it with a few pins. She delicately arranged Lorelai's curls so they cascaded over her shoulders, making her resemble a beautiful porcelain doll, very much like the ones that Lorelai received as childhood gifts. Emily stood behind her only daughter in awe. Lorelai did indeed look like a princess, with her tiara magnifying the dark curls that framed her radiantly glowing face. Emily had dreamed of this day for so long. She just wasn't sure it would ever happen.
"Mommy, where are you and Daddy going?" six- year old Lorelai asked her mother one evening as she spotted her parents heading downstairs. She was in her bedroom playing with the dollhouse her parents had bought her for Christmas. She followed her mother down the hall.
"We have a wedding to go to," Emily replied.
"Why can't I go too?" Lorelai whined. She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.
"Because it's late and there are no children at this wedding," Emily replied getting impatient.
"I never get to go with you," Lorelai complained. "You said you would read to me tonight before you went out."
"I'm running late, Lorelai," Emily snapped. "Hannah can read to you."
"But I don't want her, I want you," Lorelai yelled back at her mother. "You promised!"
"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore! You will not raise your voice to me," Emily scolded. "Now your father and I have to go. You will stay here with the nanny and I will not put up with any more back talk young lady."
"I just wanted you to read to me! You promised," Lorelai yelled as she burst into tears. "I hate you," she wailed as she bolted into her room and slammed the door behind her.
"Just for that, you are confined to your room tomorrow," Emily called out to the closed door.
She could hear her little girl sobbing and wailing through the door to Nanny Hannah. "Why do Mommy and Daddy always have to go out all the time? I miss them. Daddy goes on trips cause of work, and Mommy goes to meetings, but they don't want to play with me! Some day when I have a wedding, I'm gonna have lots of kids there so they don't have to be left at home." Lorelai continued to sob as Emily headed downstairs to join her husband.
"Mom? Did you hear what I just said?" Lorelai inquired, breaking Emily of her daydream.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was distracted," Emily replied.
"I was saying that I love the tiara, Mom, and thank you for letting me wear it," Lorelai said, smiling.
"I'd always meant for you to wear it one day at your own wedding Lorelai," Emily said, smiling. She kissed her daughter on the top of her head. "You look so beautiful."
"Thank you Mom," Lorelai said softly. "It means a lot to me to hear that coming from you."
"I want you to know, Lorelai," Emily began, as she placed her hands on Lorelai's shoulders, "that I always wanted you to be happy, to have what your father and I have. Luke is a good man and, although I misjudged him, I know you two will have a long and happy life together. Getting to know you these past nine months has been a dream come true for me. I thought I knew you but I didn't, and now I understand you."
Emily leaned down to embrace her daughter from behind. "My dear sweet Lorelai, you have done a remarkable job raising Rory and making a good life for the both of you. I am so proud to call you my daughter and on this, your wedding day, I wish you a life filled with love and happiness. I love you so much," Emily said, her voice breaking with emotion. She kissed her daughter on the cheek and gently dabbed away the tears from Lorelai's cheeks with a tissue.
"Oh Mom," Lorelai sobbed. "I never told this to anyone, not even Rory, but I used to dream of getting married one day and I really wanted you and Dad to be a part of it. I wanted that wonderful family moment but all we did was fight. Deep down it hurt that I wouldn't have that. Our relationship was so bad that I was afraid to share my happy moments, afraid that you would discount them or criticize me because that's what always happened." Lorelai sniffled and tried to get her emotions under control.
"Well, it seems that we both had our dreams fulfilled," Emily said, handing Lorelai another tissue, as she dabbed at her own eyes.
"I'm so glad that you and Dad are a part of this," Lorelai said softly. "It means so much to me to have you here. I love you Mom," Lorelai said, getting up and wrapping her arms around her mother tightly. "Thank you for the tiara and for being there for me."
"I can't undo the past Lorelai, but I promise to always be here for you," Emily said. "That is if we don't drive each other crazy," she chuckled.
"But isn't that the Gilmore way?" Lorelai inquired with a smile.
"I suppose so," Emily replied. "I'm not the most tactful woman and you are your mother's daughter."
"At least I don't fire the maids every week," Lorelai smirked. "I charm them with my witty, pleasant personality. Maybe you should try it sometime."
"And have them conspiring against me because they're under the delusional impression that I've been kidnapped by aliens and replaced by a replicant?" Emily inquired with a raise of an eyebrow. She smiled broadly. "You're not the only one who can make a joke Lorelai."
Lorelai blinked several times and then burst out laughing at her mother's sense of humor. "You're right, I am my mother's daughter!"
The two women fixed their make up and prepared to head downstairs.
"Your father will be up shortly to escort you up the aisle," Emily said. "You look so beautiful," Emily said, cupping Lorelai's face in her hands. "Luke is a lucky man to wed a Gilmore. We are proud, stubborn, impetuous and utterly charming women," she said as she placed a final gentle kiss to her daughter's forehead.
"That we are Mom," Lorelai nodded, a huge smile spreading across her face. "That we are."
As Emily turned to leave the room, she asked quickly, "How many children will be attending the wedding?"
"Uh…Sookie and Jackson's kids, Luke's sister Liz and T.J.'s baby Doula, yes that's her name, Lane and Zack are bringing the twins… so I guess there will be a bunch of little rugrats toddling around the dance floor," Lorelai replied, a bit perplexed. "Why?"
"Oh nothing," Emily said smiling. "I'll see you downstairs."
The living room at the Dragonfly was transformed into a beautiful candlelit vision, with silk draped walls and rose petals covering the floor. The furniture had been moved out to accommodate rows of folding chairs with an aisle in the center. The rows of chairs actually spilled out into the main reception area. Each chair was covered in white silk and red ribbons. A small table stood at the front of the room containing two tall candles and one fancy candle in the center. Gorgeous floral arrangement lined the front of the room and along the walls.
The dining room was converted into a buffet of tables that would be filled with Sookie's incredible cooking. Luke and Lorelai both wanted more of an informal dining experience, where the guests could serve themselves, and then head outside to the large tent to eat and dance. The tent was decorated with flower bouquets on each table, heaters were strategically placed for warmth, and the walls and overhead were blanketed with tiny white lights to simulate stars. The children in Lulu's class made snowflakes, which hung from overhead, giving the illusion of a winter wonderland.
The guests had arrived and the room was filled to capacity with family and friends. Luke stood at the front of the room, fidgeting with his tie, as he tried to remain calm. He watched groomsmen T.J. and Jackson seat the guests. He was surprised that his own nephew Jess actually accepted the honor of being his best man. Jess had gone through many struggles and now had his life together. He was still working in a small publishing house but he was writing now and hoped to publish more of his works. Luke was proud of how the young man had turned out. Jess was no longer the same punk who unceremoniously graced his doorstep one day, having been sent to Luke by his mother, who could no longer handle him.
Sookie and Liz waited at the top of the stairs for the music to begin that would signal them to start the bridal procession. Rory, on the other hand, waited at the bottom of the stairs, unable to climb them with her wheelchair. Logan stood next to her as the two of them whispered to each other.
"So do you have my legs?" Rory asked, as she smoothed down the beautiful dress her mother had painstakingly made.
"They're hidden until after the ceremony, just as you instructed Ace," Logan said smiling. "I'm glad you decided to upstage the bride AFTER the actual ceremony, so she could enjoy her moment of newly married bliss," he chuckled.
"Good," Rory said smiling. She spotted Jess talking to Luke. "Are you sure, Logan, that you're not bothered by Jess being here?"
"What? He's Luke's nephew. He has a right to be here," Logan said. "Besides, he's been all over his girlfriend since they arrived, so I don't think he's much of a threat to us," Logan smirked.
"Yeah, he seems really happy," Rory mused. "I'm glad he found someone so he doesn't have to pine over me anymore." Rory took note of Logan in his new suit. "Have I told you how handsome you look?"
"Had to dress nice to escort you up the aisle," Logan said. "Besides, I couldn't let you show me up in that gorgeous dress," he added with a cocky smile.
Richard Gilmore snuck passed his grand daughter and headed upstairs to escort his only child up the aisle, a dream he'd held in his heart since Lorelai was a little girl. He knocked on the door and Lorelai opened it with a huge smile on her face. He gasped when he saw how beautiful she looked. He cupped her face and gave her the most loving smile she had ever seen from him. He kissed the top of her forehead.
"Lorelai, you look like an angel," Richard said softly. "The only other person who could possibly compare to your beauty was your mother on the day I took her as my bride."
"Thank you Daddy," Lorelai said with shining eyes. "I guess it's time to get this show on the road," she said, linking her arm in her father's.
The music began and the bridesmaids walked slowly up the short aisle, Rory being pushed by Logan, her bouquet clasped in her trembling hands. She took her place at the front, opposite Luke and Jess. Richard and Lorelai slowly descended the stairs.
"Daddy when I grow up, I'm gonna get married to you," Four- year old Lorelai giggled, as she twirled around her father in a pretty dress.
Richard looked over at his daughter, his eyes filling with tears as he remembered.
"Sweetheart, you can't marry me," Richard laughed. "I'm already married to Mommy."
"But I want to," Lorelai said, as she wrapped her tiny arms around her father's legs.
Richard heard a sniffle and turned to see Lorelai wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.
"Someday when you are all grown up, I will walk you down the aisle at your wedding," Richard said, smiling at his daughter's sweet face while he tousled her head full of soft curls.
"I hope I marry someone who will dance with me like you do Daddy," Lorelai said, as she stood on her father's feet. Richard slowly danced around to unheard music with his little girl.
Richard walked Lorelai up the aisle as the guests turned and watched, many sniffling back sobs.
"So, my little princess, when you get married will you save a dance for your daddy?" Richard inquired of his little girl.
"Oh, yes Daddy," Lorelai exclaimed. "Oh Daddy?"
"Yes sweetheart," Richard replied scooping his daughter up in his arms.
"I don't want to marry you anymore," Lorelai said seriously. "I want to marry Willy Wonka, cause he's got lots of candy and the Oompa Loompas."
Richard burst out laughing and hugged his silly little girl.
At the front of the room, Richard turned to face his daughter. Lorelai gave him a watery smile, as he kissed her forehead one last time, and went to sit with his wife. Emily clasped his hand in hers, a tender smile lighting up her face. They watched as Lorelai handed her bouquet to Rory then turned to face Luke. The joy on their daughter's face over rode any hard feelings they once had for the relationship she had with Luke.
The ceremony seemed almost dreamlike, as both Luke and Lorelai were lost in each other. They barely heard Reverend Skinner speaking. All they could focus on was each other. Emily and Liz each lit a candle signifying the two families, then Luke and Lorelai each lit a candle from the family candles and united to light the elaborate candle in the center from the smaller candles, signifying the union of the two families, and the creation of a new one.
Lorelai joined hands with Luke and faced him to say the vows she had lovingly written. "Luke, you are my life, my love and my best friend. You have been there for me through my pain, as well as my joy. You've supported me when I didn't have the strength to stand on my own." Tears coursed down her cheeks as she continued her vows, her voice breaking. "I love you more than words could say and I promise to love you forever, to be there for you in good times and bad, because without you I am nothing. You are my life and together we will make our own life, as a family."
Luke gazed into Lorelai's tear stained face and locked eyes with her. He wanted her to see how he felt. He wasn't going to hide it. He didn't care if the whole crazy town saw it. He inhaled and blew out a trembling breath, as he struggled to remember the vows he had written.
"Lorelai, you have won my heart in a way no one else has. I promise to love you forever, to respect you and support you in everything you do. I promise to listen when you need to vent, give you a shoulder when you need to cry, and supply you with endless amounts of coffee." The room, including Lorelai burst out laughing. Luke smiled and continued. "I will always be your best friend and I will love you until my dying breath, and even after. You are MY life, my reason for getting up in the morning and the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you," Luke said, barely above a whisper, as his voice failed.
Lorelai choked back a sob, as she reached up and brushed away two tears that slid down Luke's cheeks. Luke turned to take the ring from Jess and faced Lorelai once again. He held her left hand in his and began to slide the wedding band on her ring finger. He repeated the words spoken by Reverend Skinner.
"Lorelai, take this ring as a sign of my undying love."
Lorelai took the other ring and held Luke's hand, as she slid the ring on his finger. "Luke, take this ring as a sign of my undying love," she choked out, overcome by tears.
They turned to face Reverend Skinner as he announced, "By the power vested in me by God and the state of Connecticut, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Luke and Lorelai turned to face each other, smiling through their tears and the sobs of the guests in attendance.
"Oh my God! Just kiss her already," Babette screeched from the back of the room, causing the crowd to break out in peals of laughter.
Luke pulled Lorelai close and wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her tenderly. Lorelai reciprocated, as they stood lost in each other, soft moist lips mingling with salty tears. Not even the thunderous applause that broke out in the room, along with a few whistles, could break them from this moment. They pulled apart when Reverend Skinner cleared his throat. Lorelai looked at Luke, her husband, and saw that Mr. Manly Man was actually crying. She was so moved that she couldn't stop her own tears from falling. She quickly brushed the tears from Luke's face as she caught a glimmer of sadness in his shiny blue eyes.
"What's wrong," Lorelai asked, barely above a whisper.
"Nothing," Luke choked out. "I just wish my parents were here to see this."
"Aw babe, they are here," Lorelai whispered. "They're watching it all and smiling."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Reverend Skinner began, "I am pleased to announce, for the first time anywhere, Mr. And Mrs. Luke Danes."
Lorelai and Luke proceeded down the aisle to more applause and happy tears from family and friends.
A flurry of activity ensued as they greeted their guests and went to have pictures taken with the families and the bridal party, while the guests enjoyed the cocktail hour. At the reception, neither Luke nor Lorelai could escape the bevy of well wishers. They danced their first dance. Richard danced with Lorelai in the traditional father/daughter dance. Since Luke's mother had passed away, he asked Emily, his new mother-in law, to dance with him. Emily accepted and struggled to keep her emotions in check, as her son- in law escorted her onto the dance floor.
Later on Rory and Logan sat chatting with Maria and Janie as they watched Lorelai lead Luke onto the dance floor during a ballad. They had never seen Lorelai so happy and Luke couldn't stop smiling. They slow danced, wrapped up in each other, never taking their eyes off each other's face.
"I've never seen the two of them so happy," Rory said smiling.
"Your mother has been through a lot this past year," Maria said. "She's learned so much about herself and it's made her a better person. In fact you too have been an inspiration, Rory. I can't believe how far you've come since I first met you."
"I wouldn't have gotten this far if you hadn't come into our lives," Rory said. "You put our broken family back together. I've never seen Mom or my grandparents happier."
"No Rory, You all healed yourselves," Maria said sweetly. "I only showed you the path. As a family, you took the path and made that journey toward healing together."
"I think I'm ready to give my Mom her gift," Rory said, giving Logan his cue. He began to push Rory back inside to prepare her for her grand entrance. "Thank you Maria, and you too Janie, for everything," Rory said
"You're welcome," Maria said, giving Rory a hug and a huge smile. "Now go be that force of nature I know you are."
Jess gave the best man toast, surprising Luke with his depth and eloquence. His didn't think his nephew was capable of expressing himself with such heart. Like his uncle, Jess was usually a man of few words, very much in his head, yet here he was giving heartfelt wishes to his uncle and new aunt. Everyone was so entranced with Jess' toast, that no one noticed Logan wheel Rory back into the tent except Jess. He was in on the plan.
Logan wheeled Rory to the front of the tent, positioning her in front of Lorelai and Luke's table. Jess gave Rory the microphone as he smiled a crooked smile, knowing what she had planned.
"Mom and Luke, I want to congratulate you on finally making it to the altar," Rory began. "Mom, you have been my strength for all my life, my best friend, my support. This has never been more evident than it was these past nine months. When I was in a coma, you never gave up on me. You fought for me, stayed with me and gave me your strength. As I recovered, you never lost hope and you loved me through all the mood swings and the painful rehabilitation. Now I want to give something back to you… your life." Rory's voice broke with emotion. "I want you to know that I'm going to be okay. You won't have to take care of me, at least not physically, for the rest of my life."
Lorelai got up and headed toward Rory to hug her. Rory stopped her before she got on the dance floor. She nodded to Logan who dropped the footrests, placed Rory's feet on the floor, set a walker in front of her and helped her stand up. The room fell silent as a stunned Lorelai watched her daughter slowly take her first steps, using the walker to support herself. She held her breath as Rory made her way across the short distance, one faltering step at a time. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision, so as not to miss it.
Rory focused on her mother as she walked on her new prosthetic legs. It was like moving through quick sand, slow and tedious, but she never lost sight of the goal. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the walker shuffling, as Rory took step after step with deliberate intent. The muscles in her thighs burned and quivered from the unaccustomed use, yet Rory willed her legs to move. She could see her mother standing mere feet away, her hand over her mouth as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.
Rory stopped directly in front of her mother and stood there gazing into her mother's eyes, eyes so much like her own. Lorelai seemed to be in a trance for a moment as she stood there trembling. Rory, her Rory, the young woman who nine months ago was in a coma with severe injuries from a car accident, was standing in front of her, looking her directly in the eye. The profound realization of that moment hit Lorelai with such force that she nearly hit the floor. With a strangled sob, she reached out and pulled Rory to her in a crushing embrace.
Mother and daughter stood there and held onto each other for dear life. Rory rested her chin on her mother's shoulder as Lorelai's entire body shook with sobs. The tent was filled with the sound of sobbing and applause, which only made Lorelai feel better: it drowned out her own loud wailing.
"Oh Mom, I love you so much," Rory sobbed into her mother's shoulder. "Thank you for being the best mom a girl could ever have. Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I was at my worst. I'm so so sorry that you had to go through so much pain."
"Twenty-six hours… of labor," Lorelai said between sobs. "Twenty-six hours… of pain …to give birth… to you. I feel… like I just… gave birth… all over again. Sometimes… the pain is worth it." She struggled to overcome her raw emotions, the tears of joy that wouldn't cease. "This moment, right now, makes all the pain fade away. I almost lost you but you're here and walking," she squeaked out. "I love you hon, more than you'll ever know. Thank you for the best gift a mother ever got."
Suddenly Lorelai and Rory found themselves surrounded by family and friends in a bone-crushing hug. Luke, Richard, Emily, Logan, Christopher, Lane, Liz, and Sookie… half the room gathered around to join the group hug. Tears flowed, followed by peals of laughter. It was a wedding no one would forget, especially the bride and groom. It was more than just the union of a man and woman: it was the union of a family, a celebration of life and healing.
A short time later, Lorelai sat at the desk in her office, staring at her puffy red eyes and blotchy face, completely depleted of make up. She sniffled and reapplied her make up, hoping to have some semblance of normalcy. Luke knocked, and then entered. He came behind her, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her sweetly on the top of the head. He said nothing, just held her and smiled. Lorelai wrapped her hands around Luke's strong arms and held tight. She got what she'd dreamed of, the whole package, the husband, the family, and the miracle child who was on her way toward independence.
"Are you ready to head back in there, Mrs. Danes," Luke inquired.
"Ready as I'll ever be, Mr. Danes," Lorelai replied, smiling. "Lead the way Burger Boy."