Lorelai stood in front of the mirror, admiring the dress.
"Well?"
"You look beautiful mom."
"She's right Lorelai. You look wonderful."
A knock on the door caused the three of them to turn.
"Who is it?" Sookie called
"Emily Gilmore."
Lorelai looked at Rory, not sure what to say. Sookie was the first to cross the room. She opened the door slowly to find Emily Gilmore standing outside.
"Well are you going to let me in or not."
Sookie opened the door and stepped back slowly. Emily Gilmore walked into the room.
"Well…I am going to check on…something. Want to help me Rory."
"Sure."
They filed out of the room, closing the door behind them. Lorelai waited for a minute, then said
"So…what are you doing here?"
"Its your wedding day…I assume I was invited."
"You…you were invited. I just didn't think you would. You…you didn't seem to want me and Luke to get married mom."
"Its not that I didn't want you to get married Lorelai. Its just that I wanted to give you something more."
"But it was everything that I didn't want mom. I don't want fancy dresses, food I can't pronounce and people I don't know. All I want is a simple wedding with the people I care most about."
There was another knock on the door.
"Its open."
The door opened slowly and Luke poked his head inside.
"Is everything all right in here?"
"Its fine Luke. Come on in."
The door opened a little wider and Luke stepped inside.
"Rory told me you mother was here and…"
"And you thought there would be trouble?"
"Well…maybe. Hello Emily."
"Hello Luke. You look very nice."
"Thank you." He said, "So is everything okay?"
Lorelai looked at her mother.
"Everything is perfect."
"Well the minister is ready…if you are."
"Are we mom?"
"I think we are. I'm going to take my place."
She walked to the door, then turned around.
"There is just one thing."
Lorelai groaned.
"I knew it." She whispered
Emily reached into her pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. She held it out to Lorelai. After a moment, Lorelai reached out and took the box. She opened it slowly to see a pair of wedding rings.
"These…these are…"
"They belonged to your father's parents."
"Mom, you didn't have to…"
"I wanted to." She said, "They are part of your family history."
Lorelai handed the box to Luke and hugged her mother.
"Thank you." She whispered
"Your welcome."
Lorelai pulled away slowly.
"Will you send dad in and make sure everything is ready."
"Of course."
Luke moved to Lorelai's side. As he leaned over to kiss her, Emily grabbed his arm.
"Time for you to take your place."
"Yes Emily."
"Call me mom."
Luke and Lorelai looked at each other. Neither knew what to say. Instead, Luke let Emily pull him out of the room. Lorelai shut the door, grateful to have a moment to herself. She picked up her small bouquet of white roses from the table as someone knocked on the door.
"Its open dad."
The door opened and Richard Gilmore stepped inside.
"Lorelai, you look lovely."
"Thank you dad…for everything."
"You are welcome." He said, "Now I guess its time for me to give you away."
He held out his arm and Lorelai slipped hers through. They walked out of the room and down the hall. Sookie and Rory were waiting outside a door. When they saw Lorelai and her father, Sookie opened the door. The music started and she began down the aisle.
Rory waited until her mother and grandfather were behind her before she stated down the aisle. Richard and Lorelai waited until Rory reached the front of the church before they began done the aisle. Lorelai kept her eyes on Luke the whole way down the aisle.
The stopped in front of the alter. Richard pulled his arm away from his daughter, offering it to Luke. The two joined hands and stepped in front of the minister. He opened his bible and began
"We are gathered here today to join these two people in holy matrimony. Luke and Lorelai do you understand that the vows you are about to take will bond you for life."
"I do." Lorelai said
"I do." Luke said
"Join hands and face each other."
Luke and Lorelai turned to face each other, joining hands.
"Luke, do you promise to love and honor Lorelai in sickness and health as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Lorelai, do you promise to love and honor Luke in sickness and health as long as you both shall live?
"I do."
"May I have the rings please?"
Luke turned to Tristen and Lorelai to Sookie. They both handed the rings over to their respective people. Luke and Lorelai placed the rings on the minister's bible. He whispered something over the rings. Looking up, he said
"Luke and Lorelai have chosen to recite their own vows. Luke take your ring and say your vows."
Luke took his ring. Lorelai held out her hand. Luke slid the ring on her finger. As he slid the ring on her finger, he said
"Lorelai I love you with all my heart and soul. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I vow to make every day with you the best it can be…and to keep you supplied with coffee."
His last comment caused a chuckle from Sookie, Tristen and Rory.
"Lorelai take you ring and say your vows."
Lorelai took her ring. Luke held out his hand to her. As Lorelai slid the ring on his finger, she said
"Luke I love you more than I ever thought I could love someone. I want each day to be full of love and laughter."
They turned back to the minister.
"The vows today bond you forever. In the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit, I pronounce you husband and wife. Luke, you may kiss the bride."
Luke leaned forward and brushed his lips across Lorelai's. Pulling back, his eyes met Lorelai's
"I love you." He whispered
"I love you too."
They joined hands and headed down the aisle.
The Gilmore House
Lorelai walked down the stairs, pausing in the middle to watch her friends and family. Luke was talking with her parents but turned around, almost if he sensed her. He said something to her parents, then walked over to the stairwell. Holding up his hands, he said
"The bride is going to throw the bouquet."
All of the single women made their way to their place. Lorelai turned around slowly. She threw the bouquet over her shoulder and turned around to see who caught it. To her joy, it was Sookie. She walked down the stairs and over to her friend. After congratulating her, she whispered
"Maybe this will get Jackson thinking."
"I hope so."
Lorelai felt Luke come up behind her. His arms wrapped around her waist and he leaned in to whisper
"Its time."
Lorelai nodded and felt him pull away.
"Let's say good bye to Rory and my parents, then I am all yours."
"Promise."
"You are stuck with me buddy."
Luke held out his hand to Lorelai. They said good bye to her parents, then to Rory and Tristen. Before leaving, she pulled Rory off to the side.
"He can stay until 11."
"Mom…" Rory's cheeks turned bright pink with embarrassment
"Remember…I know all."
"Don't I know it."
"I love you Rory."
"Me too mom. Now you better go…Luke's waiting."
Lorelai hugged her daughter once more and then walked over to Luke. They said their good byes and made their way out the door. Today was the start of a new journey…one they would be beginning together.
Hope you all liked the story.