A/N You guys are great! Thanks for all the reviews!
ShortiLuvsRedSox- Of course Chris missed. This is Chris we're talking about. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!
Wish I was Mrs. Danes 117- Hehe…loved your rant. The same thing was going through my head during the Luke and Lorelai moment. Of course Luke could beat up Chris easily. Notice that Luke hit Chris, while Chris didn't even hit Luke once? I think, anyway. Thanks for reviewing!
Friendlyneighborhoodlorelai- No need to apologize for the length of the review. I liked it. I wanted to show Lorelai looking at dresses and stuff right in the beginning…actually committed to Luke unlike she was to Max. I'm glad you thought I showed that. I hope your finals went well. Thanks for reviewing!
Kristen- I'm really glad you liked the last chapter and thought the Kirk scene was funny. I love Kirk. I really miss Colin, Finn, and Stephanie! I can't believe they haven't at least been mentioned yet. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Allie- It'd be hilarious if Luke and Chris did go to jail, and something really weird came up, so Lorelai had to choose who to bail out first. And she chose Luke. That'd be awesome. Not very realistic but awesome nonetheless. So glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!
Softballgurl09- I completely agree with you about the last episode. I hope your semester exams went well also. Thanks for reviewing!
Eaglesfreak17- Thanks for reviewing!
Hope-everlasting- Yah, I should've been studying for finals when I wrote it. Hehe. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Bianca89- Yah, I meant that Luke is different from Max, especially in Lorelai's eyes. She actually loves Luke. Thanks for reviewing!
CharmedGurlie- Aw, you can't help but love Kirk. Thanks for reviewing!
Amy- I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for leaving a review!
Christine Writer- Thanks!
Burgerman- Thanks so much for the compliments.
BabyGlover- I will. Thanks!
Sarahb2007- Hope your semester exams went well too. Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer- I don't own it. Please don't sue.
Hammers and Veils
"Let's go in this one." Rory says, pulling Lorelai into yet another store.
"Ow! There's a person attached to that arm, missy!" She exclaims as Rory drags her further into the store.
Sookie giggles next to them. "You need all the options." She says.
After Lorelai molded a newspaper to the shape of a veil of her head, Rory decided they needed to go wedding dress shopping. She had called Sookie immediately to come along.
"There hasn't been anything good yet." Lorelai whines.
"That's why we have to keep looking." Rory patronizes, gesturing to the store.
Lorelai sighs, defeated. "Fine."
Rory goes into the back of store, where all the wedding dresses are. "What about this one?" She asks, holding up a dress.
Lorelai scrunches her nose up in disgust. "Too many ruffles. Reminds me of my parents, which is not something I want to be reminded of on my wedding day…or night." She says, smiling.
"Ignoring you now." Rory says, turning back to the dresses. Sookie grins at Lorelai excitedly.
"Rory, none of these dresses are right." Lorelai whines again.
Rory sighs. "Fine, but we have to go find another store." She says.
Lorelai smiles. "Yay! I like wedding dress shopping."
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Lorelai bounds into the bedroom after saying goodnight to Rory. They had just gotten home from shopping at eleven, and they still did not find a dress.
Lorelai walks carefully over to the bed to find Luke asleep, the television on at a low volume. She smiles before slipping into the bathroom to change.
Once she has finished changing, she comes back out and stares at Luke for a moment. She runs and plops down on the bed, waking Luke up.
"What are you doing?" He asks sleepily as he sits up.
"Waking you up." She replies. "Or well, I guess talking to you, since I already woke you up." She smiles widely.
Luke closes his eyes and opens them again, trying to wake up. "How was shopping?" He asks.
Lorelai shrugs. "It was okay. I didn't find a dress I liked though." She pouts.
"You'll find one." He says, closing his eyes again.
"Luke." She whispers.
"Yah?" He replies, pulling her close to him as she lies down.
"Let's pick a date." Lorelai suggests.
"A date?" Luke asks tiredly.
"Okay, wake up, buddy, or I'm gonna make you drink coffee." Lorelai warns.
Luke opens his eyes and sits up, Lorelai sitting up also. "Okay. I'm up." He says.
Lorelai smiles triumphantly. "I knew that would work. Anyway, I want to pick a date for our wedding." She says, watching his reaction.
"Okay." Luke agrees with protest. "You said you wanted it in the winter, right?" He says.
Lorelai nods. "Yah, I do. I also kind of wanted it right before Christmas, maybe a week or two weeks before. That's probably when the first snow is going to be." She says hopefully.
Luke reaches over to the nightstand and grabs their mini calendar, flipping it to December. "Pick a date." He says, handing her the calendar.
"When did we get a mini calendar?" Lorelai asks, while looking at it.
"Uh, Lorelai, it was here when I moved in." Luke says, laughing.
"It was?" Lorelai asks, incredulous. When Luke nods his head, Lorelai looks back down at the calendar. "Okay, well, since this calendar obviously appeared here by itself, it must be magical." She says, as if it is the only solution.
"Or Rory put it there because she knows you." Luke suggests.
"That's more likely." Lorelai agrees. She glances back down at the calendar. "Oh, how about December eighth?" She asks.
"That sounds good." Luke agrees. "Why the eight?" He asks. Lorelai looks at him for a moment, waiting for it to register. "Oh, okay. That's a good date." He agrees.
"I'm such a smart person." Lorelai grins, both thinking about why the number eight is significant.
Luke lies back down and pulls her with him. Lorelai lays her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. "What about invitations and all the other stuff?" Luke asks, his eyes closed.
"Oh, can we do those tomorrow?" Lorelai says excitedly.
Luke smiles. "Yep."
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Rory walks through town the next day on her way to Luke's before building a house. She stares at the hammer Lorelai made her, not noticing Miss Patty.
"Rory, dear, where are you headed?" Miss Patty asks enthusiastically.
Rory gestures to Luke's. "Oh, just over to Luke's for coffee." She says, smiling.
"Oh. Okay." Miss Patty says, running out of small talk already. She has never been the kind of woman to procrastinate. "I've talked to most of the town, and we want to have a big engagement party for your mom and Luke." She reports.
"Oh, okay." Rory says. She figured the town would plan some big party for her mom and Luke.
"Okay, so what's a date that they're both free?" Patty asks.
"Um, this Saturday they're free. I'll just have to convince Luke to take off work." Rory says, thinking for a moment about how she is going to do that.
"Ah, I'm sure you'll be able to convince him. Luke Danes is whipped when it comes to the two Gilmore girls." Patty says, brushing it off with a wave of her hand.
Rory smiles awkwardly. "Uh, yah. Well, I guess I'll just go talk to him now." She points to the diner, wanting to get away from Patty quickly.
"Make sure to give him a pinch for me, dear." Miss Patty says, gazing longingly at Luke.
"Uh, sure. See you later, Patty." Rory says and rushes off to the diner.
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"Hey, Luke." Rory greets when she enters the diner. She sits down on a stool at the counter, waiting to talk to Luke.
"Hey, Rory. What can I get you?" He asks, pulling out his order pad.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something." She corrects.
Luke looks up, surprised. "A Gilmore is turning down food?" He asks, astonished. "What would your mother say?"
"Cheeseburger, nothing healthy." She says quickly.
"I'll just put the order in to Caeser, and then we can talk, okay?" He asks, walking over to Caeser.
"'Kay." Rory responds, waiting patiently.
Luke comes back a few seconds later and stands in front of Rory behind the opposite side of the counter. "What'd you want to talk about?" He asks.
"Um, okay, are you free this Saturday?" She asks.
"Yah, unless your mom wanted to do something." He responds, slightly confused by the question.
"Okay. Good." Rory says and nods.
"Rory, what's going on?" Luke asks.
Rory grins widely. "I can't tell you. It's a surprise." She teases.
"I'll give you pie." He bargains.
"I want pie, but I'm still not telling you." Rory replies, eyeing the pie.
"You know how bad you are at lying." Luke says, trying to get her to wear down.
"I won't be at this." Rory says, determined.
"Does Lorelai know?" He asks.
"I'm going to go tell her right now." Rory says, standing up. "Be ready at six on Saturday, dressed in a suit."
"What are we doing?!" Luke exclaims.
"Bye." Rory says before opening to door to leave.
"Wait, is that what Patty was talking to you about outside?!"
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"Hey, mom." Rory greets when she walks into the Independence Inn.
"Hey, hun." Lorelai replies, kissing Rory on the cheek. She hands Rory a list to be sorted in Chronological order.
"You're free this Saturday, right?" Rory asks while sorting through the list.
"Yah, unless Luke is taking me out. Why?" She asks, glancing at Rory quickly before turning her attention back to mail on the desk.
"Be ready by five-thirty." Rory knew that Lorelai was never on time, so it was always safe to tell her that something started a good half hour before it actually started. "Wear a nice dress." She says.
"Rory, what's going on?" Lorelai asks, confused.
"It's a surprise. I can't tell you." She says, just like she told Luke.
"Does Luke know?" Lorelai asks.
"Yes, he does." Rory responds. She pauses for a moment, contemplating both of the conversations she has had with Luke and Lorelai that morning. "You both asked me about the same questions too. Weird."
"He knows what's going on?" Lorelai asks.
"He knows as much as you do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go build a house." Rory says and turns around to walk out the door.
"I bet Babette has something to do with this!" Lorelai calls after her.
Rory leaves the inn, smiling widely.
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"Rory is planning something." Lorelai exclaims as she walks quickly into the inn's kitchen to get something to eat.
"What do you think it is?" Luke responds through the phone.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out!" Lorelai exclaims. "That kid will give in to anything if a book is involved."
"I think Miss Patty knows something." Luke says, narrowing his eyes as he looks out the diner door and sees Babette, Miss Patty, and East Side Tilly gathered in a huddle talking in whispers. Kirk, of course, is trying to get in said huddle.
"Yah, big surprise there." Lorelai says sarcastically and crosses her arms over her chest, frustrated.
"Uh, Lorelai, try these pieces of cake. I want to know which one you like better." Sookie says, shoving some cake in Lorelai's mouth.
"The first one, Sook." Lorelai answers with her mouth full after sampling three different pieces of cake.
"What was that?" Luke asks.
"Oh, just Sookie having me try some cake." Lorelai replies.
"Oh. Okay." Luke responds. Sookie had Lorelai taste desserts all the time. This was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Aw, I have to go, hun." Lorelai's notices Michel's very angered face that comes out every time she talks to Luke when she is supposed to be working.
"Michel making his weird face again?" Luke asks.
"You know it." Lorelai says, giving Michel an anger look back. "See you later."
"You coming to the diner tonight?" Luke asks.
"If Michel lets me, so most likely I'll be there." Lorelai says, smiling.
"Great. See you then. Love you." Luke replies.
Lorelai's heart melted every time he told her that. "I love you too. See you tonight." She says before hanging up the phone.
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"I'm way behind!" Rory exclaims when she enters the house that night.
"With what?" Luke asks from the couch where he and Lorelai are watching TV.
"Everything!" Rory yells and plops down on the couch, putting her head in her hands.
"Rory, hunny, what's wrong?" Lorelai asks, concerned.
"You never took me camping!" She exclaims.
"Uh, I actually try to get you two to go camping with me every time I go." Luke reminds them.
Lorelai and Rory glare at him.
"I should have been doing extras for like…ten years now!" Rory wails.
"Rory, you have to calm down." Lorelai says. "Weren't you meeting Dean?"
"We got in a fight." She says. "And Lane is moving!"
Lorelai and Luke share the same shocked look. "Lane is moving?!" Lorelai exclaims.
"She's going away for the summer, anyway, and we don't know when she'll be back." Rory says sadly. "Ugh, I hate Paris!"
Lorelai nods knowingly. "Should've known Paris started this." Luke mumbles.
"Rory, you'll catch up. I know you can do this. You have all summer to volunteer, and you still have a few years before college. You'll catch up." Lorelai encourages her.
Rory nods, calming down. "You're right." She says solemnly.
"What's wrong?" Luke asks.
"I don't want Lane to move." Rory says glumly.
Lorelai wraps her arms around Rory, pulling her into a hug. "It'll be okay. I bet she only goes for the summer. There's no way even Mrs. Kim would ship her kid across the world forever." Lorelai says.
"I'm betting she'll be back before the summer is over." Luke says.
Rory finally smiles and wipes tears from her face. "Thanks, guys." She says before starting towards her room. "Oh, do you have your outfits picked out for tomorrow?" She asks excitedly.
"What is tomorrow?!" Lorelai exclaims.
"You'll see."
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"Come on, Luke! Hurry up! You're getting as bad as mom!" Rory yells from the bottom of the stairs.
"Hey!" Lorelai's exclaims next to Rory. She crosses her arms over her chest, pouting. "I still don't understand why you won't let Luke and I change at the same time." She says.
"Because if I let you and Luke go into your bedroom at the same time to change, it would result in us being very late for the surprise." Rory replies dryly.
Lorelai shrugs and gets an evil grin on her face. "True." She agrees. Rory narrows her eyes at Lorelai disgustedly. "What?" Lorelai asks, defensive.
Rory shakes her head. "Nothing. I'm used to it by now."
As Lorelai is about to reply, Luke comes downstairs dressed in khakis and a button-up dress shirt, looking very unhappy. "This had better be a good surprise." He complains.
Lorelai gives him a quick kiss. "I think you look great." She praises.
"Mom's turn. Now, move!" Rory commands.
"I gave birth to a drill sergeant." Lorelai mumbles as she walks up the stairs.
Rory points to Lorelai's bedroom. "March!"
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"Rory, stop shoving!" Lorelai yells, rubbing her side.
"Well, if you had actually hurried when you were getting dressed, this wouldn't have happened." Rory reprimands.
Lorelai pouts. "Lukey, Rory has gone over to the dark side."
"Well, considering she's been living with you for the last sixteen years, it was bound to happen sometime." He teases.
Lorelai glares at Luke. "Meanyhead."
"Rory, where are we going anyway?" Luke asks
Rory sighs. "We're going to the town square. Now, move." She says as she pushes them out the door.
"When we actually see the surprise, will you go back to being normal Rory?" Lorelai asks.
Rory nods her head in an affirmative. "Yes." She answers.
Lorelai and Luke both let out a breath of relief. "Thank God." Lorelai exclaims.
"Hey, I wasn't that bad!" Rory defends herself.
Lorelai scoffs. "I beg to differ!"
"No, I beg to differ!" Rory responds.
"Well, then…keep on begging!"
"What?" Rory asks, confused.
Lorelai shrugs. "I have no idea. Luke…" She starts but notices him staring straight ahead at something. "Luke, what are…?" She trails off when she notices it also.
They both turn to look at Rory, equally astounded. "Y-you threw us a party?" Luke asks.
"Not just any party- an engagement party." She announces, grinning widely.
"Did you do this all by yourself?" Lorelai asks.
"Actually, it was Miss Patty's idea-"
"I knew they were planning something!" Luke interrupts.
"-and the town helped a lot. Sookie made all the food." Rory informs.
Lorelai and Luke look around once more. The town has hung lights anywhere they could find, music was blaring, little ballerinas were dancing on the gazebo, there was a big dance floor, there were tables and tables of food, and there were two chairs- a king and a queen's chair. Lorelai and Luke were in awe.
"Don't just stand there! Go open your presents!" Rory encourages, leading them to the chairs.
Lorelai and Luke sit down in the chairs, while the town people form a line to give them their presents. "Whoa, I really do feel like a queen!" Lorelai exclaims.
"Lorelai, do you want some of the cake?" Sookie asks.
"Of course! Bring Luke a piece-a giant piece- too." She says, smirking at Luke.
"You guys can just leave the presents by the chairs. You don't have to wait in line. Go eat." Luke says. The town people drop their presents quickly and sprint towards the giant cake.
Miss Patty comes back a few minutes later with a piece of cake, accompanied by Babette. "So, Lorelai, tell me: How does it feel to be engaged?" She asks.
"It feels great." Lorelai says, sharing a glance with Luke. Lorelai watches with a smile as Rory and Dean talk and hug, obviously making up after their fight.
"So, do you think I can borrow him once and awhile?" She asks, hopeful.
"I think I want to keep him." Lorelai replies, smiling at Luke.
"You'd be crazy to let go of an ass like that." Babette pipes in.
Lorelai nods, agreeing. "You're definitely right about that."
Luke groans. "Aw, jeez!"
"Aw, honey, you know you should be proud of your nice ass." Lorelai teases.
"Ok, well, bye Babette and Patty." Luke says quickly, wanting them to leave.
"Oh, we can take a hint." Miss Patty says and winks at Luke as they leave.
"They're crazy." Luke mutters.
"Let's open presents!" Lorelai exclaims and gets up from her chair to look at all the presents. She ponders the presents for a few moments, picking a few up and shaking them. She finally decides on a medium-sized one and walks the few feet over to Luke's chair. She sits down on Luke's lap and begins to open the present.
"Who's it from?" Luke asks, peering around her shoulder to see it.
Lorelai flips the present over in the middle of unwrapping it to check. She gets a confused look on her face from reading who it is from. "It says it's from the whole town."
Luke gets the same look. "That's weird." He replies.
Lorelai proceeds to open the rest of the present, revealing a box. She pulls out two wrapped presents and a card. She hands the present labeled 'Luke' to him and opens the present labeled 'Lorelai.'
Luke unwraps his present to find a pair of swim trunks with fishes on them. "What the hell?" He asks.
Lorelai opens her present to find a black string bikini. "Oh, I really like this!"
Luke stares at the suit, forgetting how impractical the gifts are. "I like it too."
Lorelai grins at him before opening the card. She reads it aloud. "We hope you enjoy your presents on your trip to Hawaii. Have fun." She pulls out two plane tickets in shock.
"They bought us plane tickets to Hawaii?" Luke asks, equally shocked.
"Not just plane tickets!" Rory exclaims from the crowd. They hadn't noticed that the town had gathered around to watch them open their gifts.
"Your hotel is already paid for, and your car is already rented, a convertible by the way!" Miss Patty adds.
"There's also suntan lotion, sunglasses, and new clothes at the house, sugars!" Babette ends.
Lorelai looks down at the plane tickets, and Luke stares at the crowd, neither knowing what to say and both in shock. "I don't know what to say. Just…thank you so much." Lorelai says genuinely.
"This is unbelievable." Luke includes.
"It's no problem! We wanted you two to have a great honeymoon!" A townie pronounces.
"We definitely will."
A/N First off, I am deeply sorry for the wait. I never meant for it to take this long. We had family over for the holiday break, so I didn't get much time to write. I'm really sorry. I hope you guys liked this chapter nonetheless. Thanks for reading! Please review! I think/hope I'll be able to get the next chapter up soon. It'll definitely be up sooner than this one was. Please review! Lots more wedding planning is next.