THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
April's birthday party brings an unexpected twist that changes Luke's and Lorelai's lives forever. Late sixth season.
Disclaimer: All still on loan from Dan and Amy.
Chapter Fifty-six: Two Lives Joined
On the morning of his wedding day, Luke Danes awakened early, as he usually did. He had slept better than he expected, only waking briefly a couple of times when he reached out for Lorelai and encountered empty air. But his internal clock had him awake before six.
He lay there in bed, watching the early morning light brighten in his window while listening to his nephew's snores in the other bed. He smiled. It was good to have Jess back again, even if they were only in the apartment together for a night.
He eyes traveled to their tuxedos, hanging on a hook in the wall. He wasn't looking forward to cramming himself into it. . .but he was very much looking forward to what would happen and what he would see once he did. His Lorelai, coming towards him in a white dress and veil to bind herself to him forever.
As he had told her, he was nervous, excited, scared, exhilarated all at the same time. But now, having lived with her in their new house for a month, he finally knew what his life was going to be like. And he couldn't wait to get back to it.
He heard sounds downstairs and chuckled, knowing that Caesar was there opening the diner. They would be only open for breakfast that day, as all the staff were going to the wedding.
After a while, he was too restless to remain in bed any longer. He rose, went to the window and craned his neck to get a look at his new home and see if anyone was stirring. He could just see the front of the house and the windows and balconies of Rory's and April's rooms. There were no lights on yet and he saw no movement in the windows.
He had an idea and quickly got into jeans and a t-shirt. He walked softly downstairs and nodded at Caesar. "Hey."
"Hey! Happy wedding day, boss," Caesar said cheerfully. "I'm surprised you're up already."
"Couldn't sleep any more," Luke said gruffly. "Are you about ready to open?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"I'm gonna make breakfast for the girls," Luke told him. "Just ignore me and go about your business."
"You got it."
Luke knew the girls were due to get up by seven, so a little before then he began to stir up breakfast for them. While he was doing so, Jess, rumpled and bleary-eyed, appeared downstairs.
"Hey, sleeping beauty," Luke teased his nephew.
"Hello yourself," Jess mumbled.
"I need you to start your Best Man duties."
"What?" said Jess suspiciously.
Luke nodded at the meal he was preparing. "When this is done, I need you to take it over to the house. You can stay and eat too, if you want to."
"Oh, how kind of you," Jess smirked. "Okay." He eyed the containers Luke had already opened in preparation for the food. "How much are you sending over there? That looks like enough to feed an army."
"Well, it's the Gilmore girls, remember," Luke said.
"Riiiiiiiight," Jess nodded. "Are they up?"
"They should be, at least in a few minutes. I'll call over to make sure when it's ready."
"Well, I'd better get dressed." Jess turned and went back upstairs.
Luke called a few minutes later and April answered. "Well, good morning, Mr. Bridegroom," she said pertly.
"Hey, honey," he said. "Is everybody up?"
"We're still working on rousting Lorelai."
"Tell her she better get moving. Emily's going to be there any minute. If Lorelai's still in bed, she'll have a cow."
April giggled. "I believe that."
"But anyway," Luke continued, "Jess is coming over in a few minutes with something for you all."
"And I can guess what," April said happily. "Including coffee, I hope. That might get Lorelai moving. She's moaning for it. "
"Oh, I know what that's like," he chuckled.
While Luke was bustling around the diner, Lorelai was also lying in bed, looking at the changing light outside the window.
She hadn't slept very well, her mind buzzing with details of all the preparations she still had to make today and all the things she would have to do. She was glad for all the help she would have from her mother, her attendants and Mia as she was getting nervous enough to be uncertain of her ability to remember everything. She had also missed Luke during the night. Their bed felt very empty without him and she spent most of the night cuddled up with his pillow, her face buried in it, sniffing the trace of his scent that lingered there. The scent caused memories of moments with him to bombard her brain and to fight for dominance with the thoughts of today's details. Because of all this, her sleep had been fitful.
But now she was awake, too drowsy to move but trying to keep one eye on the clock because she knew she could not linger in bed for very long. A little while later, he heard a tap at her door and Rory came in and climbed into bed beside her.
"Good morning, bride," she smiled.
"Good morning, Maid of Honor," Lorelai grinned, pulling her close.
"This is probably the last time we'll get to do this," Rory reminded her mother.
"Oh, maybe not," Lorelai said, reaching out to stroke her daughter's hair. "Luke still goes to work pretty early. You can sneak in here after he's gone."
Rory giggled and snuggled up to her mother. "Excited?" she asked softly.
"Name it, I'm feeling it," Lorelai sighed.
"Happy?"
Her mother smiled. "Deliriously."
"Good. That's as it should be."
They lay cuddled together, murmuring to each other about memories of their life together. Suddenly tears sprang to Lorelai's eyes. "Everything will be different now," she whispered. "Nothing will be the same again."
"But it's a good different," Rory said anxiously. "Isn't it?"
"Of course it is," Lorelai smiled through her tears. "But as good as it is, it's also hard to see something end. Something that has been the most precious thing in my life so far," she added in a whisper. "You and me against the world."
"But, really. . .hasn't it changed already?" Rory pointed out. "And you like it so far, don't you?
"Yes, of course," Lorelai sighed. They smiled tenderly at each other until Lorelai turned onto her back and threw her hands over her head. "Oh, don't mind me," she said in a more whimsical tone. "I'm just being nostalgic. Aren't people supposed to feel nostalgic at weddings?"
"I thought that was New Year's Eve," Rory teased.
Just then there was another tap at the door and April peeked in. "Good morning. Aren't you up yet?" she asked, sounding surprised.
"Not yet," Lorelai said. "Good morning, sweetie. God, I need some coffee," she added. "Why isn't Luke here making coffee? How am I going to get going without it?" she whined.
April looked worried. "Let me see if Mia knows how to make some. Or, Rory, maybe you could. I'm worried about you getting up, Lorelai. You've just got to get going if you're going to wash and dry your hair before we go."
"And you know Grandma's going to be here any minute. She'll roust you a lot less pleasantly than we're doing," Rory reminded her.
"I know," Lorelai sighed. "I just need another few minutes of quiet before all the madness starts."
Just then the phone rang and April went to take it at the upstairs hall extension. They heard her talking quietly, hang up and come back to the door. "The cavalry is coming," she reported. "Coffee's on its way over."
Lorelai smiled. "Bless your dad. I knew I could count on him." She pulled herself upright. "Let's go!"
As they were walking downstairs, still in pajamas and robes, there was a knock at the door and April admitted a smirking Jess with his arms full of provisions. He went into the kitchen and carefully dropped the bags on the table. "Luke sent you a whole pot," he reported, raising his other hand to show a full pot of Lorelai's elixir of life. "You just have to put it on the coffeemaker to warm it up."
Lorelai sighed. "What a guy." She poked Rory. "Didn't I pick a good one?"
"A prince among men," Rory agreed.
After Lorelai had poured herself a cup of coffee, they eagerly opened the bags and spread their feast on the table as Mia joined them. Even Lorelai was staggered by the amount and variety of food contained within. A mountain of scrambled eggs, a stack of toast, a pile of pancakes, bacon, sausage, muffins, even some French toast. There was anything anybody could want. They sat down and dug in.
"So tell me," Lorelai said Jess, "how is he?"
He shrugged. "Fine," he said, utilizing his usual economy of words.
"Oh, God, you monosyllabic Danes men," Lorelai groaned. "I need details, man. Did he sleep well? Is he excited? Nervous? Comatose? What?"
Jess considered his answer. "He got up before I did. I heard him snoring in the night so I guess he slept all right. He seemed. . .a little nervous but happy, I guess." He nodded at the containers of food. "He's cooking in a bit of a manic fashion, as you can see."
"Good." Lorelai nodded. "That sounds just fine. So what are you guys doing this morning before you have to go to the inn?"
"Going to the barber. Luke's getting a haircut and we'll probably both get shaves," Jess shrugged. "Don't worry, Lorelai, I'll hang out with him," he added.
She smiled brightly. "Thanks, Jess."
"Don't mention it," he replied with a small grin.
Just then the doorbell rang. April went to answer it and a minute later Emily swept in with Hope on her heels. "Don't tell me you're still eating breakfast! Lorelai, you have to get moving! We have to leave a little after nine to go for the facials!"
Lorelai finished the bite of food she was taking and raised her eyebrows at her mother. "Mom, there's something I'd like you to remember today," she said with mock seriousness.
"What?" Emily asked suspiciously.
"This is one day in my life when it's okay for me to be late. . .because they can't start without me!" Lorelai said, crowing a little.
"It's still bad manners," Emily said stiffly. "If the wedding is supposed to start at two o'clock, it should start at two o'clock!"
Lorelai opened her mouth to retort but then closed her eyes and shook her head. Rory decided to jump in. "Grandma? I know you're uptight today, but how about cutting Mom a little slack here? After all, this is supposed to be a happy day," she said, with a slight but noticeable emphasis on the last two words. She raised her eyebrows and looked at her grandmother meaningfully.
Emily started to say something but then clapped her mouth shut before a word came out. "Oh, all right," she sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry, Lorelai. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"It's okay, Mom," Lorelai assured her. "I know you just want everything to be perfect."
Mia decided that maybe they'd both better quit while they were ahead and intervened. "Would you like some coffee, Emily, Hope?" she asked, rising to get them some cups.
"Yes, please," Emily said, relaxing a little. She sat down and took a sip of the fragrant brew. "Is this Luke's? My, he makes good coffee," she said appreciatively.
"Now you finally know why I'm marrying him, Mom," Lorelai said teasingly. "To get the coffee."
"Oh, that's not true," Rory said. They looked at her, expecting her to say something about how Lorelai was marrying Luke because she loved him. After waiting a beat, she added, "You drank his coffee every day for years before you started dating him, no strings attached. You still could."
They had a laugh at that.
After finishing her meal, Lorelai hurried upstairs to shower and wash and dry her hair. Rory and April got ready too, while Emily paced the first floor, checking her watch and tapping her heel on the floor impatiently. Hope just sat grinning at her. Mia, who was not going with them just then, tried to stay out of her way.
By nine, they were assembled in the downstairs hallway, Lorelai grumbling because her hair was still a little damp. "It's gonna frizz up and curl," she complained.
"The hairdresser will take care of that, Lorelai," Emily said briskly and hustled them out of the house.
But before she left, Lorelai stooped to pat Paul Anka, who was at their heels as usual. "Poor puppy dog," she mourned. "Since we're not coming back here after the wedding, he won't see us for two whole weeks. And his best buddy won't be here, either," she realized.
She did not see the gleeful glance pass between Rory and April.
"But I'll be here," Rory reminded her. "I may not be his favorite, but we get along pretty well. I'll take good care of him, and I'll take him to Doggy Day Care so he can play with his friends. I promise, Mom. "
"Oh, for heavens' sake, stop wasting time talking to a dog," said Emily in exasperation. "Let's go!"
The three younger women exchanged an look of understanding between them as Mia watched, trying not to chuckle. Finally, they hurried out the door and stopped short. Emily had come in a spacious limousine. "Now this is a classy way to travel," said Lorelai approvingly.
They picked up Sookie, who was beaming and squeaking excitedly at Lorelai about it being her wedding day and made their way to get beautified.
Lorelai later had to admit that it had been a great way to start the day. The facial and brief massage relaxed her thoroughly, and the manicure and pedicure made her feel elegant. Rory, Hope and Emily enjoyed them, too. April, getting her first facial and manicure, was a little leery at first but stared at herself approvingly in the mirror when it was done. And she enjoyed sitting with the others participating in their grown-up chatter as their nails were worked on. Hope told them stories of life in Paris and distracted them beautifully.
Luke, in the meantime, was enjoying a hot towel on his face in preparation for a very close shave, and a better-than-usual haircut. Jess sat by him, making snarky remarks, but they enjoyed their time together. Eventually Ed swept in. He, Nancy and the kids had been taking a walk around Stars Hollow and he and Sean joined the other men as Nancy and Molly returned to the inn.
By eleven, the ladies were finished and made their way to the inn, only a little bit behind schedule. They were greeted by Mia, who was already there, and the Phelan ladies. "We're going to be your go-to girls today," Nancy declared. "We'll hang around and anything you need or want, any errands that have to be run, just holler. Molly and I will only need five minutes to put our dresses on before the ceremony."
"Oh, that's great. Thank you," Lorelai said with heartfelt appreciation.
"Lorelai, I'm going to check things down here. They can do me last," Emily said, nodding at the hairdressers and makeup experts who now joined them, bags of tools in hand. "Come on, Hope."
The rest of the group made its way up to the suite they had reserved. The first thing Lorelai caught sight of was her dress, hanging on a portable rack that had been brought in, along with the bridesmaids' ensembles and her mother's and aunt's dresses. She smiled with delight as butterflies began to gather in her stomach.
Preparations then began in earnest. The hairdresser worked a near-miracle with Lorelai's thick, curly, hard-to-manage hair, leaving her with a shower of soft, curly lengths down her shoulders and back. She and the other hairdresser also used their implements to give Rory's and April's straight hair each some soft curls. The makeup experts were very good, too, and even April was allowed a bit of blush and a touch of colored lip gloss. True to Lorelai's prediction, Sookie kept trying to slip out to go down to the kitchen and check proceedings, until Lorelai finally fixed her with a stern glance and said firmly, "Finish your makeup first. They you can go down for a quick check before you dress."
"But don't take too long," Emily warned. "You still have to take pictures before the ceremony. If you don't want people to see your dresses, and you want them done outside of this room, you'll need to do it soon."
Frustrated, Sookie was reduced to sending Mia down with second-hand instructions for Manny.
A little after twelve, Lorelai glanced at her watch and said, "Hey, the guys should be arriving. Could one of you go downstairs and then come back and tell me when they're here?"
"Sure," Nancy said, rising. "Any messages?"
Lorelai gave a small smile. "Just make sure they're here."
"Okay," Nancy smiled and started to head out of the room.
"Oh, Nancy?" Lorelai called as her friend stopped in the doorway. "Could you bring me back a cup of coffee?"
"Sure thing," Nancy grinned. "Molly, come with."
"Luke sent over a big batch of his special blend. They should be making it in the kitchen as we speak," Lorelai explained.
Nancy and Molly arrived downstairs a moment before the door opened and Luke, Jess, Sean and Ed strode in. They greeted Richard and Jackson, who were already waiting in the lobby. Nancy walked up to them grinning. "How are you, Luke?"
"Good," he said. His hands were in his pockets and he was nervously rolling back and forth on his feet from toe to heel and back again. He nodded his head in a jerky fashion.
"I'm good. I'm. . .I'm nervous. I'm excited. I can't wait," he added with a smile.
"Good," she told him, grinning. She looked at her husband and Jess. "How's he been this morning?"
"Jumping out of his skin," Ed said, laughing a little. "I'm afraid he's going to crouch down, wait for a starting gun and hurdle down the aisle."
Luke gave him a withering look and turned back to Nancy. "How's Lorelai?" he said anxiously.
"Upstairs getting pampered and primped for you. She's just fine, Luke," she soothed. "I'm to report back with your arrival and bring a cup of coffee along with the news."
"I heard she was sluggish this morning."
"She was good when I saw her," said Jess. "Up and raring to go. Hungry," he added, and they all chuckled.
"Well, let's get this show on the road," said Luke and they went up to the room set aside for their preparations while Nancy and Molly went to the kitchen.
They returned to the suite with coffee for all. Lorelai was finished and was sitting in her robe, nervously jiggling her foot. "Ah," she greeted the coffee gratefully.
"Won't that make you more nervous?" Molly asked. "I've always heard that coffee does that to you."
"Mom has a backwards nervous system," Rory chuckled. "She needs coffee to wake up in the morning but then it calms her down during the day."
They continued their preparations; Emily, who had returned, was starting her makeup while Sookie was just finishing. She was finally released to run downstairs. Lorelai looked imploringly at Mia. "Make sure she comes back fast," she urged. "Don't let her start making a new cake or something."
Mia laughed. "Will do." She followed Sookie.
"Where did you finally decide to have the first set of pictures taken?" asked Emily.
"Well, I'd like them to be outside. But we can't go to the side of the building where the tents are set up, and we can't go out in front because guests will be arriving there. So we're going to duck through the lobby, go out the other side door and take them at the little gazebo in the trees there. The inn will be in the background. It should be secluded enough."
"Won't people coming in the front see us?" asked April worriedly.
"No, one of the staff is out front directing them around the side of the building. And just to be safe, Michel was going to set up some portable screens to block view of the lobby and the bottom of the stairs. We're going to have to hurry through there, though," Lorelai explained.
Mia dragged Sookie back upstairs a little before 12:45, which was the scheduled time for their photo session, according to Emily's strict timetable. She slipped on her dress and waited with the others, who were already ready, for Lorelai to come out of the bathroom.
When she walked out in the satin gown, a deep sigh went up among her wedding party. "Oh, Mom," Rory said softly. "You look absolutely stunning." The others added their approbation.
"Thank you," Lorelai said softly. She moved to the full-length mirror that was there and inspected herself, turning to look at the dress from all angles. The dress set off her neck and shoulders perfectly, the ruched bodice clung to her curves and the full skirt with its drapes of satin stood out from her body like a narrow bell. Luke's mother's pearls glowed on her throat, as did Emily's pearl bracelet on her wrist, and the sapphire earrings Luke had given her sparkled through the locks of her hair. "Not bad," she smiled.
The hairdressers helped her and the bridesmaids place their headpieces properly. Lorelai was wearing the band she had gotten from Miss Celine, now bursting with tiny blue and purple flowers, and Sookie, Rory and April had tiny bunches of blue and purple flowers attached to their hair.
"You all look lovely." Emily spoke briskly but the glint of tears in her eyes as she looked at her daughter belied her composure.
"You look beautiful too, Mom," Lorelai told her, admiring the powder blue brocade dress Emily had chosen, which set off her red hair perfectly.
"Thank you, Lorelai," was all Emily said, but her smile was glowing. "Now, let's get downstairs."
"We'll run interference," Mia offered. She, Nancy and Molly carefully checked the hall, the stairs and the lobby at each stage of their journey, finally waving Lorelai through the lobby to the side door. The pictures were finished in a timely fashion and the clandestine operation was reversed.
When they got back to the room, Lorelai was fidgety. "We still have fifty minutes," she complained. "I'm going to take the dress off so I can sit down. I don't want it to get wrinkled."
Emily chuckled. "I don't think I've ever heard you worry about wrinkling a dress in your life."
Lorelai laughed at the truth of her words. "First time for everything, Mom." They helped her out of the dress and she slipped her robe back on and sat down, her foot again jiggling nervously. "So, anybody have a deck of cards?" she said brightly.
Emily's smile faded. "Oh, really, Lorelai," she sniffed.
"Sorry, Mom," Lorelai said ruefully. "I'm just really antsy and I'm ready to rock and roll."
"Honestly," said her mother, rolling her eyes.
Hope could see that her sister's nerves were beginning to fray, as well as Lorelai's. "Come on, Emily," she said, tugging at her sleeve. "Let's go down and do one more check that everything is ready."
"Yes, perhaps we should." Emily hurried out the door. Hope lingered for a second to give Lorelai a big wink before she left, too.
"Bless her," murmured Lorelai.
"I think I'll go, too. Check on whether the guests are getting settled," Mia said and followed them out.
Lorelai looked around the room. "Come on, guys, you're my attendants. Entertain me."
They did their best to distract her with chitchat as they waited.
While Lorelai and the bridesmaids were getting ready and going for their pictures, a similar scene was taking place in the room where the men were dressing.
It had been a slightly tense time. Although Richard and Ed were experienced in wearing tuxedos, the others were not and their expertise was needed as Luke, Jess and Jackson struggled with such unaccustomed accoutrements as cuff links, studs and cummerbunds. Luke finished fiddling with his cuffs and stopped to look at the sapphire links Lorelai had given him for a wedding present. He stared at them a moment, smiling. When he noticed Jess' smirk, he gave him a dirty look and shook his head. "You look wonderful, Luke," Richard said kindly. "A tuxedo really suits you. And the idea of wearing blue shirts was brilliant. They look so nice with the black tuxes. I wish I had known," he said wistfully. "I would have gotten one."
"Thank you, Richard," Luke said. "I guess the blame goes to Ed."
Ed smirked back at him. "You're welcome."
"I'm still surprised you did it, Luke," said Jackson, who was tugging at his cummerbund. "But I agree, it looks great."
"Well, anything to make her happy," Luke said gruffly.
When the bride's group was coming back from their pictures being taken, Nancy had peeled off to let the men know it was their turn. Now she knocked at the door and was admitted by a smiling Richard, upon which she let out an admiring whistle. "Wow. You guys look fabulous," she said, staring. "That shirt looks wonderful on you, Luke."
"Thanks, Nancy," Luke smiled.
"Just so you remember who gets credit for it," said Ed, pouting a little.
"Sure," she said cheerily. "The clerk at the tux shop." When the others laughed, she kissed the mock-crestfallen Ed. "Come on. The photographer is ready for you."
"Lead the way," said Richard.
They made their way downstairs along the same clandestine route and went outside for the picture-taking, then hurried back upstairs.
In a little while, Emily and Hope returned upstairs with Mia and a tray of flutes of champagne. "Our own little toast," Mia said. "Just a few sips before we get started." She passed them around.
"Everything looks lovely," Emily said, almost breathless with excitement.
"Did you see the guys?" Lorelai asked.
"They just went back upstairs a few minutes ago. Wait 'till you see them," reported Hope. "Good enough to take a bite out of, every one of them. That's some handsome nephew Luke's got there," she added.
The others agreed. "And the guests are starting to arrive," Mia added. "They're raving over the decorations." Nancy and Molly departed to their room to slip their dresses on. A few minutes later, Emily glanced at her watch and said, "Twenty minutes to two. Lorelai, time to get your dress back on."
Again they helped her step into the satin dress, settle it around her figure and fluff up the skirt. The hairdresser again pinned the wreath and veil to her head. "Okay, good to go," pronounced Lorelai. "And I want to go!"
"It won't be long now," Emily said soothingly.
"Say, where are our flowers?" asked Lorelai suddenly. "Downstairs. So are the boutonnières. Everything's there," Hope assured her.
Nancy and Molly poked their heads in. "We're heading downstairs. Good luck, Lorelai, honey. You look unbelievable," Nancy smiled.
"Maybe we should get down there, too," said Emily. "Your father should be here any minute."
"All right, Mom," Lorelai murmured. She looked at the three older women and impulsively crossed to them, throwing her arms around her mother. "Thank you for everything, Mom," she said softly. "I love you."
Emily squeezed her arms, her eyes filling with tears. "I love you too, darling."
Lorelai hugged Mia and Hope in turn. "See you down there," Mia said with a wink as they left.
Lorelai turned to her bridesmaids. "So," she said brightly to Rory, "You're finally getting a step-daddy."
"At long last," Rory smiled. "You picked out a good one, too."
"Well, only the best for my baby," Lorelai said, beginning to choke up a little.
"And I'm getting a step mom, don't forget that," said April. "We're all getting something new today."
"That you are," Lorelai said and suddenly her face grew serious. "We haven't really talked about it, April," she said anxiously. "Do you mind?"
"Do I mind what?" inquired April, looking honestly puzzled.
"Having a stepmother in your life. I mean. . .one more change for you. Again."
"No, not a bit," said April with surprise. She came and took Lorelai's hands. "I miss my mom," she said softly, "but if I have to have a stepmother, I'd rather it be you than anybody can think of."
"Aw, sweetie," Lorelai choked, pulling the girl into her arms. They hugged briefly and when April pulled back she was surprised to see tears filling Lorelai's eyes. "Oh, no, don't cry!" she said anxiously. "You'll ruin your mascara! Rory, tissue, quick!"
Rory, laughing, came with a tissue and they carefully touched it to Lorelai's eyes to absorb the tears before they could catch in her eyelashes. By the time they were done, all four were laughing.
Just then there was a knock on the door and Sookie went to open it to admit Richard. He came in a few steps and caught sight of his daughter. "Oh, Lorelai," he breathed.
She smiled shyly at him. "Will I do?"
"I should say so," Richard murmured. He was suddenly lost in the memory of a curly-haired toddler, playing on the living room floor, chattering away to him non-stop. Other memories quickly followed and pictures flashed through his head of Lorelai as a child, a teenager, a young lady, a new mother as he took in the vision of the beautiful woman standing before him. "You take my breath away," he told her.
"Thanks, Dad," she said, still shy.
They smiled at each other for a full thirty seconds as the others watched approvingly. Then Richard caught himself and looked around. "Sookie, Rory, April," he told them, "you all look stunning." He went around kissing them all. "Well, I think it's time to go," he said, offering his arm.
"Could you wait a second, please? I want to run downstairs and see Dad for a minute before you come," April said. "Remember, they can't start without you!" she added mischievously and ran out the door.
"All right," Lorelai laughed. She looked around the room. "Is this really happening?" she asked, beginning to feel dazed.
"I think it is," Rory said.
"Finally," Sookie added.
"Are you all right?" her father asked.
She smiled broadly. "Nervous, excited, but completely all right," she told him. "Better than I've ever been. How's Luke?"
"Holding up beautifully and just as eager as you are to get started," Richard told her.
They paused for a minute more until Richard offered her his arm again. "I think it's finally time," he smiled at his daughter.
"Lead on, Dad."
But he paused in the hallway for a moment as Sookie and Rory moved ahead. "I just want to make sure you know, Lorelai," he told her softly, "that I know now what a good man Luke is and how much you love each other. I think he's the right husband for you. I have no more reservations, none."
Lorelai felt tears threatening again. "Thanks, Daddy. I can't tell you what that means."
He smiled warmly, patted her hand, and they moved to the stairs.
Downstairs, April hurried through the dining room to the side door, where she could see Luke standing with Reverend Skinner and Rabbi Barrans. He looked relatively calm but was bouncing on the balls of his feet nervously and didn't seem to know what to do with his hands. "Dad!" she called.
Luke turned. "Hey, sweetie! Wow, you look amazing," he told her.
"Thanks. I just wanted to tell you good luck," April said and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek."
"Thank you, sweetie," Luke smiled, giving her a brief squeeze. "I love you."
"I love you, too. You look terrific," April said, eyeing him up and down. She nodded. "Yeah. Wow. Okay, they're coming down now, so I'll see you later."
"Later," Luke smiled.
She hurried back towards the lobby, stopping to turn and blow him a kiss on her way.
Luke chuckled and looked at the Reverend and the Rabbi, who had watched the exchange approvingly. "She's excited," said Archie. He touched Luke's arm. "You and Lorelai have done a good job with her."
"Thank you. Thank you so much," smiled Luke.
T.J., hands in pockets, was shooed by Mia, looking as casual and unhurried as if he was walking into the diner. Liz, too pregnant to participate in the ceremony herself, had nevertheless begged Luke to find something for T.J. to do to be a part of it. After resisting for a long time, Luke could no longer stand her blandishments and tears. After discussing it with Lorelai, they had agreed that his brother-in-law would be allowed to walk Emily down the aisle. Now that Hope had come, he would escort both ladies. Everyone had been a little worried about whether he would do his part correctly. Emily and Hope had met him at the rehearsal dinner and Emily's lips had remained pursed for an inordinately long time afterwards. Hope, on the other hand, seemed vastly amused by him. "Don't worry, Luke," she said, patting his arm. "Emily and I will drag him down the aisle if necessary."
So now that he had appeared, Luke heaved a sigh of relief, although he had been told that T.J. and Liz were already there. "Hey, Luke," he said in greeting. "Hey, you look pretty good there. Too bad you got stuck with the tux. You weren't as lucky as me. I got to wear. . ."
"Your 'air pants,' yeah, I know, T.J.," Luke said to cut him off from a long discussion of the leg wear T.J. had worn at his wedding. "But thanks for the compliment."
"Don't mention it," T.J. said grandly. "I'm really glad that you're bringing someone as hot as Lorelai into the family. I bet she'll look good today, hah?"
"Don't talk about my girl, T.J.," Luke warned.
"Oh, hey, man, no offense! No offense intended!" T.J. said, raising his palms in the air in a defensive posture. "I just mean that all you have to do is look at her and you. . ."
"T.J., it's good to see you again," interrupted Archie Skinner. "I haven't seen Liz, where is she sitting?"
"Oh! She's in the first row. On the groom's side, 'cause she's family and all," T.J. explained. "I mean, we know Lorelai too, and Liz thinks of her as a friend, but we wanted to fill up the other side for Luke's family since he doesn't have much."
"Very nice of you," nodded David Barrans, his eyes twinkling. Luke rolled his eyes.
Just then Emily and Hope appeared, coming through the dining room from the lobby. "I guess it's time," Emily said. She looked at T.J. with a faintly disapproving look and hesitated, as if she was wondering whether to really allow him to go through with this. But Hope chuckled and took his right arm. "Are you ready to go, T.J.?" she asked.
"Oh, oh, yeah. Any time you are," he told her.
Mia came in. "Okay, they're coming down. I'd say we're ready to go." She gave Luke a quick hug. "Do good, Lucas."
"Thanks, Mia."
Mia went out the door to check for any last-minute stragglers coming along the side path. After a minute she came in. "Looks like everybody is here and settled. Show time." She went to the door again to signal Patty and the musicians. Zach, who was playing the keyboard for the event, began to play softly while Brian plucked softly on his acoustic guitar.
Emily took T.J.'s left arm. "All right," she sighed. The trio went down the couple of steps outside and made their way down the blue carpet that was serving as an aisle until they reached the first row, Emily standing tall and proud, looking straight ahead and Hope beaming like a light and looking around her with interest. T.J. also stood straight and tall and also stared ahead solemnly.
Mia watched them as T.J. waited for the two to claim their seats on the bride's side and then joined Liz, who was beaming with pride. When they were settled, she nodded to the trio waiting at the door.
"Okay, this is it. Time to go, big guy," said the Rabbi.
As there was no place to the side of the tent for Luke to wait, they had decided that he and the officiators would also walk down the carpet, as the rest of the wedding party would do. The three started out and the buzz of the crowd began to die down as they did. They took their places under the chuppah on the low platform at the end of the aisle.
Luke looked around, catching people's eyes here and there. Liz was already crying through her smile, a tissue clutched in her hand and T.J. was absently patting her on the back. Babette nodded at him enthusiastically and gave him a thumbs' up sign while Morey had the absolute same facial expression that he had every time Luke saw him. Lane was standing with Zach, waiting to turn the music for him and gave Luke a happy grin.
He saw Mia at the door give a sign to Patty who stood up at the small microphone that had been set there. She nodded to Zach who paused and then began to play a different song, the one Luke assumed was being used as the processional. "Ladies and gentlemen, the wedding party," Patty announced. The crowd rose.
Luke saw Sookie and Jackson appear in the door. Patty began to sing in her rich contralto as they started down the aisle.
"I have never felt like this
For once I'm lost for words
Your smile has really thrown me.
This is not like me at all.
I never thought I'd know
The kind of love you've shown me.
Now, no matter where I am,
No matter what I do,
I see your face appearing.
Like an unexpected song,
An unexpected song
That only we are hearing."
Luke involuntarily smiled at the line about "I see your face appearing." He knew that was the line that made Lorelai think of the two of them, as she had remembered his experience with the self-help tapes that finally prompted him to ask her out. But the rest of the lyrics were appropriate, too.
Sookie and Jackson reached the front and separated, Sookie to the bride's side and Jackson to move past Luke and stand with him. He gave Luke a warm smile and Sookie flashed her dimples at him.
He turned to watch April and Ed make their way towards him and couldn't help grinning again. April was doing her best to look grown-up and dignified but simply couldn't smother her excited smile. She was almost bouncing as she walked. Ed kept glancing down at her affectionately and held her hand on his arm firmly as he guided her. They reached the front where Ed gave Luke a surreptitious slap on the back and April winked at him.
Next came Rory and Jess. Rory's usual demure smile was magnified a thousand fold. Jess worked to maintain a serious expression but a tiny grin kept breaking through and he kept stealing admiring glances at his partner. When they reached the front, Jess looked up at Luke and nodded and Rory smiled at him luminously.
While they were walking, Patty had been continuing with the song.
"I don't know what's going on
Can't work it out at all.
Whatever made you choose me?
I just can't believe my eyes,
You look at me as though
You couldn't bear to lose me.
Now, no matter where I am,
No matter what I do,
I see your face appearing.
Like an unexpected song,
An unexpected song
That only we are hearing."
Once the attendants were all present, Luke began to look expectantly at the door of the inn.
In the meantime, Lorelai and Richard were standing waiting, she clutching at his arm, listening for the right moment in the music. Finally Mia nodded at them and gave them a sign with her hand. They swept into the doorway exactly at a crescendo in the music and the guests gasped at the sight of the bride. Patty raised the song up a tone and repeated the first verse, her voice ringing out joyfully.
Richard and Lorelai moved at a measured pace down the aisle. At first Lorelai glanced around the group of guests, giving small smiles to different people as she recognized them. She noted that the tent looked like a flower garden. Baskets of blue and purple flowers hung from the tent poles and garlands of them climbed up the poles. There were two large vases with blue and purple gladioli standing at each side of the chuppah, which also had garlands swirling around it. Blue swags with lilac bows covered the backs of the chairs.
But then she saw Luke.
She had never seen stand so straight. She had never seen him look so handsome. She had never seen him look so very, very happy. Their eyes met and locked on each other like laser beams and Lorelai felt her whole face light up.
For his part, Luke was struck breathless at the sight of her beauty. He stared for a moment, but then she caught his eye. Her face began to shine and her entire being seemed to light up with a brilliant light. At that sight, he became momentarily dizzy. He was so struck by her luminous appearance that he wondered wildly for a moment if he had died and she was an angel coming to get him. But then he took a deep breath and the moment passed. Her brilliant blue eyes told him everything he needed to know about how she was feeling.
When they reached the first row, Lorelai paused for a moment beside Emily. She impulsively reached out and grasped her mother's hand at which Emily's eyes filled with tears. Lorelai beamed at her before she and Richard turned to take the last few steps to the platform on which the chuppah was standing. They arrived just as Patty repeated the last line of the song with the agreed-upon change in lyric:
"Like an unexpected song,
An unexpected song
That everyone is hearing."
Her voice soared and Lorelai felt a chill down her back. When she finished, Rabbi Barrans stepped forward. "Please be seated," he told the guests.
He waited a moment until the noises from the crowd had settled down. While they waited, Lorelai continued to stare at Luke. "Hi," she said in a whisper.
"Hi," he whispered back, his smile never wavering.
Rabbi cleared his throat and they looked at him expectantly.
"Friends, neighbors and guests," he began, "welcome." His smile broke through. "I have lived in our fair town for many, many years. But I don't ever remember a day quite as happy as this one, and I am honored beyond words to be a part of it. We are here to witness the joining of two lives and two families and to pay tribute to one of the greatest loves any of us have ever seen."
A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd.
"For my part in this day, I've been given permission to tell you a story which illustrates the kind of love we're seeing here, as well as to the length of time we've been waiting for this day to arrive." Another murmur greeted him and his smile widened.
"Some of you may be wondering why we're standing under a chuppah, a traditional Jewish canopy used for marriage celebrations. No, neither Luke nor Lorelai have converted, although I keep hoping."
A chuckle greeted his words.
"Five years ago, also in the summer, Lorelai was planning another wedding. A wedding to the wrong man, I might add. At that point Luke was already aware of his feelings for her. I would daresay the whole town was aware of his feelings for her," which brought more chuckles and nods from his audience. "It was a very difficult time for him and our hearts went out to him, even as they rejoiced for Lorelai.
"But Luke's love for her was so great, so unselfish, that he set his feelings aside and hand-carved her this beautiful chuppah, so his friend would not have to stand in the hot sun to be married.
"Eventually Lorelai saw her error and ended her engagement. Although it has taken a long, long time. . ." some of the crowd actually laughed out loud at that. . ."and many bends in the road, these two finally found each other. I believe it is wonderfully symbolic that today we are standing under the concrete symbol of Luke's love for his bride."
He smiled again at the completion of his story as the crowd murmured with satisfaction and Lorelai beamed at him while Luke dropped his eyes, turning a bit pink. The rabbi continued with the proceedings. "Who accompanies this woman as she comes to be married to this man?"
Richard's voice rang out clearly. "Her daughter, her parents, her aunt and her friends do."
"And who accompanies this man as he comes to be married to this woman?"
It was Jess' turn. "His daughter, his sister, his nephew and his friends do."
Rabbi nodded at Richard. He leaned and kissed Lorelai's cheek and placed her hand in Luke's as Lorelai turned and handed her bouquet to Rory. He then stepped behind her and joined Emily in the front row. Luke and Lorelai shared a luminous glance as she took a step to join him.
Rabbi smiled fully at the pair of them. "Now my good friend Reverend Skinner will continue with the ceremony." He stepped back and Archie took his place, his eyes twinkling. "Friends, my friend David was not exaggerating to say that we have awaited this day for a very, very long time," he began and also got a laugh from the crowd and a murmur of "You said it," from one quarter. He grinned and then grew serious. "Now that it's here, I find I'm almost at a loss for words to describe the joy I feel and I know many of us are feeling. I can only imagine how the bride and groom and their loved ones are feeling."
He paused and smiled, cleared his throat and went on. "Do you, Lucas William, take Lorelai Victoria to be your lawful wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and keep her, through good times and bad, sharing all that you have and all that you are, as long as you both live?"
"I do," said Luke in a clear, ringing voice.
"Do you, Lorelai Victoria, take Lucas William to be your lawful husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and keep him, through good times and bad, sharing all that you have and all that you are, as long as you both live?"
"I do," whispered Lorelai.
"Lorelai and Luke have chosen to speak their own vows to one another," Reverend announced and looked at Lorelai expectantly.
She took a deep breath. "Luke," she began softly, before her voice grew with confidence and volume. "You being in my life has been such a miracle to me. I know I run around, talking at full speed, jumping from one thing to another and acting like I always know what I'm doing. But I don't. I don't always know and I'm often more unsure than I seem. But you have always been there to believe in me, to tell me without hesitation that I can do it, whatever it is. And if that wasn't enough, you fed me, kept my house standing and loved my daughter, even when there was nothing in it for you.
"You complete me, Luke. I go off on flights of fancy and you pull me back and ground me. You remind me to deal with what's real and not what I imagine. You put up with all the annoying things I do, and somehow, you love me through it all. I never thought I'd find that. It's a miracle. You're a miracle.
"I can't wait for our life together to start. I can't wait to wake up beside you every morning and go to sleep by your side every night. I can't wait to walk into the diner and see your face light up and know that mine is lighting up, too. I can't wait to argue with you about coffee consumption and junk food and vegetables, and to see you roll your eyes when I'm being silly.
"You've trusted me with your heart and I promise I will never betray that trust or knowingly hurt you. I promise to always listen to you and always tell you what's going on in my head, no matter how crazy it seems, because you always seem to understand and accept me. I promise to do everything I can to make you happy. I will love you forever, Luke. Thank you for loving me."
She smiled shyly at him, their eyes locked and their hands still joined. She gave him a small nod and Archie turned to him expectantly. "Luke?"
Luke looked down momentarily as he briefly was flooded with emotion, and then raised his eyes back to hers. "Lorelai," he said slowly and paused. "You know that, as a young man, I put my heart into a deep freeze. I was unwilling to reach out to anyone and afraid to try to change that. I thought that's how my life would always be.
"When you walked into my diner in the middle of a coffee meltdown. . ." Some in the crowd laughed at that, including the entire wedding party, and Lorelai let out a small, sobbing laugh. . ."it was like someone put electric paddles to my heart and got it beating. I came to life again. All of a sudden I had something to look forward to every day. Seeing you. Talking with you. Doing things for you. Becoming your friend. Letting you be my friend. And always hoping for more. So when you began to love me, that was my miracle. It still amazes me on a daily basis that you see something worthwhile and lovable in me.
"We seem to match each other in so many way. You say I ground you, but you lift me up to the skies. You remind me to look at the stars and not just stare at the ground. You make me laugh. You remind me that it's okay to enjoy life, that I don't have to be serious and gloomy all the time. You took my child to raise as your own when you could have just walked away. You shine a light into every part of my life and that's so amazing to me.
"I look forward to all the same things you do, even the arguing and the junk food," he smiled. "I look forward to watching you laugh with our daughters, bug me to watch your crazy movies and to just being at home with all of you. I look forward to you teasing me out of my bad moods and pulling me out of my shell when I retreat there. I promise to talk to you, even when I don't want to. I promise to let you know what I'm thinking and feeling and to listen to you. Most of all, I promise to love you every day for the rest of my life. I've. . ." he paused, suddenly shy. "I've given my whole heart to you and it's yours forever."
He took a deep breath and made a small nod. She was staring at him with luminous eyes.
You could have heard a pin drop in the tent. The intensity of the moment had left everyone completely silent.
After a moment, Reverend Skinner took a deep breath and slightly cleared his throat. "Thank you," he said a little gruffly. "May I have the rings, please?"
April and Jess stepped forward and each handed him a ring.
"Dear Lord, bless these rings as you bless the union that they represent." He looked at Luke. "Luke, repeat after me. 'Lorelai, I give you this ring as a symbol of the promises I make to you today and I accept yours as a lifelong reminder of the promises you've made to me."
Luke repeated the vow and slipped the ring on Lorelai's finger. Reverend Skinner took her through the same words and she slipped Luke's on his. She took a moment to look closely at hers. It was a lovely gold band with four tiny diamond chips embedded in it. She looked at him questioningly. "For the four of us," he whispered. Her smile beamed and she nodded.
Reverend gave them a moment for this interaction and then said, "Please join hands again." When they did so, he completed the ceremony. "Since you have given your promise to each other and have given and received rings as tokens of your promises, now, by the authority of our church and of the State of Connecticut, I pronounce you husband and wife." He smiled brilliantly at the groom. "Luke, do your duty."
Luke touched Lorelai's face and slipped a hand around her waist. He cupped her cheek in his hand and drew her lips to his as she slid her hands onto his shoulders. His lips touched hers and he drew her into his arms gently as if she was something precious and irreplaceable. They stood a moment, just holding each other, touching their foreheads to one another.
When they finally raised their heads and took hands again, Reverend Skinner said in a ringing voice, "Ladies and gentleman, I am deeply honored to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Luke Danes."
"Unexpected Song" is from the musical play "Song and Dance," music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Dick James. Lyrics copyright 1984, 1985, by the Really Useful Company Ltd., Dick James Music and Long Pond Music. To hear Bernadette Peters' glorious rendition of this song, go to .com/watch?v=Tq72aBL7GLY There's a short other piece before the song really starts. If you search the title on YouTube, you'll find other wonderful renditions from such singers as Idina Menzel, Sarah Brightman, Betty Buckley and even Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
