Thank you for all your lovely reviews! Here's the big one you've been waiting for! Hope you enjoy! :)

Chapter 25

Lorelai woke up early on December 31st. She looked around and it took her a minute to realise where she was but then she remembered. She was in a room at the inn. Her and Luke had agreed to spend the night before their wedding apart like the tradition. She thought back a couple nights before and had to smile. Whilst Luke was having a quiet night in with beer and a sports game on tv with a few of his friends including, surprisingly, her father, she was out with all of hers going to clubs, drinking and dancing an genuinely having a great time. They cut the clubbing short and came back to the Hollow and met up with Katherine, Emily and Rory who were at the inn, having book a room there for themselves as well, and they all hung out there for a couple hours before retiring to bed.

Lorelai got herself up and went to look out of the window. She smiled when it was snowing outside. "Well that's a good omen." She said to herself. She then went to the closet and opened it, revealing her wedding dress which had been hung up in there. She couldn't believe today had finally come. A year ago, she would never have thought she would be here today. A year ago, she was still searching for Rory and she hadn't even met Luke yet so thinking about marriage or even more kids and owning a house all at the age of 24 was beyond the back of her mind. She was suddenly brought out of her daze when there was knocking on the door.

"Come in, it's open!" She called. She turned towards the door as it opened and she was surprised to see her dad. "Dad! I wasn't expecting you this early." She said.

"I come for a few reasons, first Luke wanted me to give you this." He said holding a take-out bag from Luke's. "He seemed to imply you wouldn't function without your morning coffee."

Lorelai smiled. "Aww he knows me too well, Thanks dad and thank him for me." She said taking the bag and peeking in to also see some pancakes. She looked up at him. "Did you stay with him last night then?" She asked.

"He offered me a bed as our evening went quite late. I took him up on it seeing as Emily was here at the inn and I would just be going back to an empty house only to have to come back here today anyway."

Lorelai nodded. "Makes sense. How is he?" She asked nervously, hoping he wasn't having doubts.

"He's good. I think he's getting impatient with the waiting though, very fidgety." Richard smiled. "He was up very early preparing you this food."

Lorelai smiled. "So he's ok? No second doubts?" She asked.

"Lorelai, Luke loves you. He's good, he's excited." Richard assured her. "No second doubts whatsoever."

"Oh Ok." Lorelai smiled relaxing a bit.

"And how about you?" He asked. "You're not having doubts, are you?"

"No, not at all." Lorelai said firmly. "I can't wait to marry him."

"Ok well I better leave you to it to get ready. I'll be back just before the ceremony." He smiled.

"Ok. Thanks dad. Oh wait, you said there were a few reasons, anything else? She grinned.

"Oh… uh… I just wanted to see my little girl one last time before she is all dolled up as a young lady about to become someone's wife." He said nostalgically.

"Aww dad. I'll always be your little girl, you know that right?"

"Of course, I always have fond memories of you dancing on my feet at those silly events your mother dragged us to."

"Ha, maybe we can re-enact that tonight" She smiled "Well I better see if the others up and then start getting ready, but thanks for coming to see me, and do tell Luke thanks for the food and that I can't wait to see him."

"I'll make sure I pass on the message." He said.

"Thanks." Lorelai grinned and watched him leave.

She then put the bag down and had another look in it and realised she hadn't seen everything the first time. There was a piece of paper folded up. She picked it up and opened it.

Hey,

Not really sure what the tradition really involves but I figured so long as I didn't see you until the wedding, I could at least send you this. I just wanted to tell you that I love you so much and I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle towards me. I can't wait to make our family complete and official.

Enjoy the coffee and pancakes but I feel obliged to remind you that stuff will kill you. ;)

See you later! I'll be the guy in the tux. Love you.

Luke

xx

Lorelai felt herself tear up. She was kind of glad she had gotten his note before she had started getting ready.

A bit later in the morning, after Lorelai had finished her breakfast, Sookie, Katherine, Mia, Emily and Rory all joined her in her room to help her get ready. Rory came bursting into the room grinning and diving on Lorelai who was on the bed. "Mommy, you're marrying daddy today!" She said excitedly in a bear hug.

"Thanks for the memo!" Lorelai laughed but was happy that Rory was obviously as excited as she was.

"How are you feeling?" Mia asked.

"Like I want to blow this Popsicle stand and get the show on the road" Lorelai joked.

"Well the quicker we get you ready, the quicker that can happen." Katherine smiled.

Lorelai grinned and nodded and started getting ready, starting with hair and make-up. Emily had generously hired professionals for all the ladies to be beautified.

Meanwhile, back at the diner, Luke was pacing up and down.

"Luke, sit down. It'll be a while yet." Buddy said.

"Why does it have to take so long? Why does the ceremony have to be so late?" He exclaimed.

"It's at 1. That's hardly late." Maisy laughed.

"Well it seems late." Luke grumbled but sat down at the table.

Just then Richard arrived after visiting Lorelai and then getting himself some breakfast.

"How is she?" Luke asked immediately.

"About as jittery as you." Richard said. He saw Luke's worried face. "She's as ready for this as you are. She can't wait to get down that aisle." He assured him.

Luke relaxed, hearing that. He sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess it's worse for the men. All we have to do is get our tux on and then wait."

Richard chuckled. "I was just the same as you before I married Emily."

"Oh me too before I married Maisy." Buddy chipped in, giving Maisy a loving look.

"I couldn't sit still." Richard admitted.

"I could barely eat anything. I just wanted it to happen." Buddy admitted.

"It's normal. You just have to try and distract yourself." Richard said.

"Your dad was the same." Buddy said.

"He was?" Luke asked looking over at Buddy.

"He was just like you." Buddy smiled. "Ranting about how late the ceremony was and why it couldn't happen straight away."

Luke gave him a small smile. "I'm not surprised. He adored mom." He said.

"And your mom adored him." Maisy said softly. "They were a great match."

"He would have been so proud of you." Buddy said.

"Definitely. And he would have loved Lorelai." Maisy smiled.

"Thanks." He smiled at them, not letting himself say anything else as he could already feel that lump in his throat.

"So who fancies a game of cards?" Buddy asked changing the subject, knowing it was hard for Luke. "Might pass the time."

"Yeah why not." Luke said and they all settled down for a game or two.

A little later, nearer the ceremony, Katherine came in to see Luke. "Hey." She smiled.

"Hey mom. How's Lorelai?" He asked.

"Very excited. Just wants it to get started." She said. "Wow you look so handsome." She said proudly. "I can't believe I'm going to watch my son marry the love of his life today."

"I can't quite believe it either. It's a shame dad isn't here though." Luke said.

"Oh he would have so made fun of your tux." Katherine laughed.

Luke chuckled. "Yeah he hated these things."

"But he also would have been so proud of you." She said softly.

"Thanks mom." He smiled.

"Come on then, let's get started." She smiled.

It was one o'clock and Luke was nervously waiting at the end of the aisle. He knew it was tradition to be late but he was hoping Lorelai wouldn't torture him too much. At that same time, Lorelai came out of the bathroom wearing her wedding dress and everyone teared up in the room.

"That's even more beautiful than it was in the shop." Sookie gushed.

"It definitely is the perfect dress." Katherine smiled and Mia agreed.

Lorelai looked at her mom. "Mom?" She asked.

"You look beautiful." Emily said choking up. "Luke is very lucky."

"Thanks mom." Lorelai said tearing up herself but blinking them back. She took a deep breath and turned to Rory. "You ready kid?" She asked.

Rory nodded excitedly.

"Well let's get this party started." She grinned.

"Hold on one minute." Emily said stopping her leaving. She went over to her bag and got a box out of it. She went back to Lorelai. "I'll understand if you don't want to use it but I thought you might like something borrowed." She said quietly opening the box to reveal a tiara.

"Mom..." Lorelai breathed.

"Your grandmother wore this on her wedding day and I wore it on mine. I was wondering if you would like to wear it on yours." Emily said.

"Lorelai, we'll see you down there." Mia said, knowing this was a family moment.

Lorelai nodded at her and saw Mia, Katherine and Sookie leave. She looked at her mom. "I'd love to wear it mom. Thank you." She said taking it out and putting it on. "How do I look?"

"Like the perfect bride." Emily smiled. She was quiet for a moment before she looked up at Lorelai. "I know I don't always make the right choices and I always think I know best and try to do the best for people but I was wrong. Lorelai, you are the happiest I've ever seen you which shows that you made a very good decision with Luke."

"Wow, thanks mom…" Lorelai said quietly.

They left the room and found Richard waiting for them downstairs. Sookie was there too, waiting to go down the aisle before Lorelai.

"Wow...Lorelai…" Richard said when he saw his daughter.

"Yeah that's pretty much the reaction I've been getting from everyone." Lorelai joked.

"I should go take my seat." Emily said. "Best wishes sweetheart." It was a rare moment for Emily to give any terms of endearments but when she did it was always the perfect timing.

"Thanks." Lorelai smiled her. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

"You ready?" Richard asked.

Lorelai nodded and they headed to the back yard. She heard the music start and Sookie and Rory walked off down the aisle. Lorelai turned to her dad. "Do me a favour?" She said.

"Anything." He said.

"Don't let me trip." She said.

Richard chuckled. "I won't. You ready?"

"So ready." Lorelai smiled.

"Ok let's go." Richard smiled and he started leading her down the aisle.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house as the ceremony took place. The minute Lorelai and Luke caught each other's eye, they knew it was right. They couldn't take their gaze away from each other throughout it. Rory was stood just behind Lorelai enthralled by the whole thing and Luke had Buddy stood behind him.

"I've been told you have both prepared your own vows?" Reverend Skinner asked which Luke and Lorelai nodded to in answer. "Ok well let's start with Lorelai."

Lorelai took a deep breath and took hold of Luke's hand. "Luke, a year ago I had nothing. Literally nothing. And then I found Rory which was an amazing miracle in itself and I still can't believe that some days. I thought that was it. My life was complete. I had found my daughter and the missing part in me had been filled. What I didn't realise was that I would fall for the loveliest, most decent, caring man I would ever meet." She smiled, feeling tears falling down from her eyes but she didn't even care anymore. "You and Rory are my everything and I can't believe that I got so lucky. I love you so much and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Luke?" Reverend Skinner prompted.

Luke took a moment to compose himself after Lorelai's vows. "Lorelai, I promise to love you and take care of you forever. I didn't realise it at the time but you filled that space in my life as well. You're smart, you're funny, and you're caring. I count my lucky stars that I found you. I love you and that will never change." He said.

They then exchanged rings and after they both said "I do" and at that exact moment, it started snowing again. Lorelai beamed at Luke. "This is such a good omen."

"What, snow?" Luke chuckled.

"Yeah, it's always been a present to me. It always knew when to snow to cheer me up. And now it knows that this is such a special day for me, it's decided to make it even better." She grinned.

"Ok crazy lady. Can we just finish the ceremony so I can kiss you?" He chuckled.

"Sure." Lorelai beamed, turning back to the Reverend. "Sorry, please continue."

They finally heard the words they were waiting for. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride." Reverend Skinner smiled.

"About time." Luke said quietly and brought Lorelai into a tender but passionate kiss. "I love you." He said quietly.

"Ditto." Lorelai smiled.

The reception started soon after the ceremony after they had taken the official photos and the tables were all set under a marquee for the dinner with heaters spaced around for the guests to stay warm. Once they had all eaten, it was then time for the speeches.

Luke stood up first. "Ok so you all know I'm not really one for public speaking." He started causing everyone to laugh. "But I couldn't not stand up and tell Lorelai how beautiful she looks today. I'm sure you'll all agree with me." He said smiling down at Lorelai who smiled up at him. He then looked out at all their guests again. "I have a confession to make to you all or more like both of us do." He said. "Lorelai and I actually met before. Years ago. This time 9 years to be exact. We didn't know it at the time mainly because we were going by other names, hers was to be mysterious and enchanting as you know Lorelai to be and mine well I didn't have a choice and you all know it if you knew me in high school. But no matter, we were both at the same party on Harvey's beach and we got talking and we got along well. That night was important for us both, little did we know the crazy amount of fate the stars had aligned for us. Not just because we got on and became friends that night but because we made something or should I say someone very precious that night. That someone who is sat right next to me here." He smiled down at Rory and he heard gasps of realization amongst the guests. "I'm honoured to say today that not only did Lorelai and I become husband and wife but we also became a family. A proper family. How it should of been all those years ago." He said. He glanced at Lorelai. "When I was getting to know this Lorelai, the one we all love and know, she began telling me about her past, she mentioned the party and a guy she met up with confessed to me that maybe he could have be the one. Now that I am standing here I am going to say, she is the one for me. So Lorelai, I guess I could say I was your Butch and you were my Lola and I am hoping that that shall forever remain." He smirked causing Lorelai to laugh. "So thank you everyone for coming to share today with us and enjoy the rest of the party." He said sitting down.

Lorelai leaned across and kissed him. "I am definitely your Lola, now and forever." She grinned.

Luke smirked.

The speeches went on with Richard speaking on behalf of him and Emily saying how proud they were of Lorelai and how happy they were that she had found a man who loved her and would look after her and then Buddy embarrassing Luke with stories about when he was younger but also doing a loving tribute to Luke's dad which made everyone tear up.

When the speeches ended, the music came on and it was soon time for the first dance and as 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston, the same dance they danced to at their engagement party, came on, Luke held out his hand out to Lorelai and led her to the dance floor. Lorelai got lost in Luke's embrace. She just leant her head on his shoulder and let him guide her around. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts about how perfect the day had been. Before they knew it, the song had ended.

"I love you." Lorelai smiled lovingly at him.

"Right back at you." Luke smiled giving her a kiss.

When the father-daughter dance came on, Lorelai surprised Richard by asking him to join her on the floor. As she was dancing with him, she spotted Luke leading Rory onto the dance floor over her dad's shoulder and she smiled as she watched them. Rory had been wearing that smile on her face all day and Lorelai was so happy that Rory was enjoying the day as much as they were, like the memory she and her father shared earlier, Rory was indeed dancing on Luke's feet. This day was about her as much as it was about them. Today had been about forming a family. That family Lorelai had yearned for so many years.

As the reception drew to a close, people finally started leaving. There had been lots of dancing, lots of drinking and lots of laughing. Lorelai was watching people leave when she felt arms go round her waist. She smiled as she turned to see Luke. "Hey." She said softly.

"Hey." He smiled. "I have a surprise for you." He said.

"Oooh I love surprises!" Lorelai grinned.

"Mom's offered to stay with Rory in the apartment tonight." Luke said.

"Ok? But isn't that where we're staying?" She asked confused.

"Nope. We're going to christen our new house." He smiled.

"What?" Lorelai said surprised. "How..?"

"I've been helping Tom with it secretly for the past month. I've been fixing things up while he's been doing the extension. We finished it about a week ago." Luke smiled.

"Oh my god! I can't believe you!" Lorelai squealed excited throwing her arms around his neck. "I know I've said it so much already today but I love you!" She grinned excitedly.

"I love you too." Luke chuckled. "Mom offered to watch Rory so we could have our wedding night and then she'll stay at the house with Rory while we're on our honeymoon."

Lorelai grinned. "Well what are we waiting for?! Let's go christen our new house!" She said excitedly.

So I hope you liked it! Please keep your reviews coming as I love reading what you think! :)